As amazing as Shohei Ohtani has been as both a hitter and pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, it’s not uncommon for those around baseball to say that the superstar could be even better at one of them if he’d just give the other one up.
So far this season, the reigning AL MVP is hitting .243 with OPS of .776 coupled with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs. On the mound, he’s 3-4 in nine starts with 65 strikeouts and a 3.99 ERA. Those numbers are all a little off from last season but then again it’s also pretty amazing that remains a huge hitting and pitching threat at the same time.
Former MLB pitcher and Fox Sports MLB John Smoltz said on Saturday that he’s amongst those who believe that Ohtani could be the best pitcher in the American League if he’d give up being a position player.
“If he never hit again and concentrated on only pitching, he’s Jacob DeGrom of the American League,” said Smoltz during Saturday’s Angels-Phillis broadcast.
John Smoltz on Shohei Ohtani:
“If he never hit again and concentrated on only pitching, he’s Jacob DeGrom of the American League." pic.twitter.com/zq39SWkUxz
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 5, 2022
This is likely to be an ongoing debate for the rest of Ohtani’s career, whether he eventually decides to go full-time in one direction or not. And his lifetime stats will always be played as part of a “what-if” game, depending on how things shake out.
Smoltz’s comments certainly struck a nerve with the MLB world on Twitter afterward as some agreed, some disagreed, and some pointed out that being Jacob deGrom might actually be a step down for Ohtani.
Why would he want to be Jacob deGrom when he's already Shohei Ohtani. https://t.co/RX2SZl71s3
— Steve Benko (@SteveBenko) June 5, 2022
Jacob deGrom has a 7.5 fWAR in his last 160 IP I’m so sure Ohtani’s doing that https://t.co/GghgWXlJul
— Ryan Garcia (@RyanGarciaESM) June 5, 2022
Ah yes, Mr. 3.99 ERA is equivalent to Jake DeGrom https://t.co/pdh0JOgto5
— Papa Cole (@papa_cole45) June 5, 2022
The dude hit 46 Bombs, 100 RBI and 26 bags last year with a 3.18 and 12.4 K per 9. He shouldn’t be compared to anyone. https://t.co/xSqwDJjXrW
— Trent Woodward (@Twoodward_3) June 5, 2022
Great, so he’ll be injured for the half the season? 🤦🏼♂️ https://t.co/n0wRNAcOX0
— Angels Nation Talk (@talk_angels) June 5, 2022
