We have seen the likes of Shohei Ohtani make the transition from Japanese baseball to the MLB seamlessly. That was unfortunately not the case for Oakland Athletics pitcher Shintaro Fujinami, who had an absolutely brutal debut in the MLB Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels
Fujinami surprisingly got through the first six hitters including the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout flawlessly. However, things would take a drastic turn for the worse in the bottom of the third inning.
He would fail to retire each of the next six hitters, with his only out in the inning coming from a sacrifice fly. He would ultimately allow six runs in the inning before being pulled from the game.
The A’s have the bullpen up as Shintaro Fujinami is struggling here in the 3rd.#Athletics pic.twitter.com/z21QvIBMXR
— Joe Hughes (@VegasJoeHughes) April 1, 2023
Oakland brought in veteran reliever Adam Oller from the bullpen to help relieve the situation. Unfortunately, this only made things worse in what would end up being an 11-run inning for the Angels capped off by a Taylor Ward home run.
The Angels scored ELEVEN runs in the 3rd inning vs the A’s. ⚾️pic.twitter.com/7qiLJPOizS
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 1, 2023
It was certainly not the debut that Fujinami was likely expecting, and fans had plenty to say about it.
Final Pitching line for Shintaro Fujinami in his big league debut,
2.1 IP, 5 H, 8 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. 55 pitches – we strikes. https://t.co/j0RKitjErR
— Joe Hughes (@VegasJoeHughes) April 1, 2023
A brutal welcome to the Major Leagues for Shintaro Fujinami. The Angels just put up 11 in the 3rd, eight of which tagged to the Japanese debutante.
— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) April 1, 2023
Fujinami: 2.1 IP, 5 H 8 ER, 3 BB, 4 Ks… 30.86 ERA
He got rocked so hard today Mt. Fuji was raised four inches in elevation.
— Matt Ortega (@MattOrtega) April 1, 2023
Fujinami looked great…
…until he looked like the worst pitcher in baseball. pic.twitter.com/xbCeSYqgE5
— Matt Williams (@MattWi77iams) April 1, 2023
It all comes apart for Fujinami, A's in third inning. Angels explode for 11 runs, 7 hits, 4 walks. Fujinami gives up eight earned runs in one third of an inning. Three of the walks. Adam Oller gives up three runs.
— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) April 1, 2023
While Fujinami clearly had his struggles, there were some bright spots that fans can take out of the debut. He threw a pretty nasty splitter that looks to be a serious weapon at the MLB level to strike out Angels outfielder Hunter Renfroe.
Pretty nasty 91.6 mph slider from Shintaro Fujinami to strike out Hunter Renfroe here. pic.twitter.com/JHkwYdedAi
— Adrian Garro (@adriangarro) April 1, 2023
Obviously he and the Athletics organization would like to hit the reset button on this game and put it behind them. He will likely get his chance to avenge this horrible start next week against the Tampa Bay Rays.
