SUMMARY
- Shohei Ohtani made his MLB debut on March 29, 2018, with the Los Angeles Angels.
- During the early days of the 2018 season, Shohei Ohtani became a phenomenon, showcasing his prowess as a two-way player.
Shohei Ohtani’s star power has skyrocketed ever since he entered into baseball. The modern-day Babe Ruth is not just rewriting records, he is making new ones. Taking baseball to new heights the two-way phenom was once a wide-eyed kid who had a burning passion for baseball that flowed through his veins.
His dreams did not stop at the boundaries of Japan’s baseball leagues, but the birthplace of the ballgame. With sights set on a faraway land, Ohtani began his long journey.
Fast forward through the years, and lo and behold Sho-time, a master in his craft, creating ripples in the world of baseball. But where did his MLB journey begin?
Shohei Ohtani became a phenomenon in the early days of 2018
March 29, 2018, marked 23-year-old Shohei Ohtani’s debut as the Angels’ designated hitter, and he wasted no time making an impact, smashing a single in his very first at-bat. But that was just the prelude to the Ohtani spectacle. On April 1, he stepped onto the mound for the first time in the big leagues. The result? He delivered an impressive performance with six innings, three runs allowed, and six strikeouts, earning his first MLB win.
Shotime’s excitement continued as he displayed his power at the plate. On April 3, he sent his first MLB home run soaring, a majestic 397-foot three-run shot. The hits just kept coming, with a third home run in as many days on April 6 he set a new record as the first rookie to achieve such a feat.
Not stopping there, Ohtani returned to the mound on April 8 and demonstrated his pitching brilliance. He held the opposition hitless through 6⅓ innings, coming close to a perfect game. Although the perfect game slipped away, he finished strong with seven scoreless innings and an impressive 12 strikeouts. In those early days of the 2018 season, Shohei Ohtani became a phenomenon and proved he was destined for greatness.
Sho-time’s life in baseball before MLB
Shohei Ohtani’s life has always revolved around baseball, according to britannica.com. Raised in a family deeply passionate about the sport, both Shohei and his older brother, Ryuta were practically born with gloves in hand.
Tweet from July 9, 2014. Shohei Ohtani had just turned 20.
He made his NPB debut in 2013.
He made his MLB debut in 2018.pic.twitter.com/P3QzsscUG3 https://t.co/HimPpX33Mb
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) June 22, 2023
As Ohtani entered high school, his pitching domination set him apart, earning him a reputation as one of Japan’s top teenage pitchers. At just 17, he was throwing fastballs at an impressive 99 miles per hour. So it’s no wonder that he caught the attention of scouts worldwide.
Ohtani by then had become a highly sought-after prospect. His outstanding performance in the Nippon Leagues had made him a global sensation, with all 30 MLB teams eager to secure him.