Shohei Ohtani is the Los Angeles Angels’ starting pitcher on Friday night against the Houston Astros, taking a 2.97 ERA into the game. The two-way superstar is also batting second in the AL lineup, and he didn’t take long to show off his offensive prowess.
In the top of the first inning, Ohtani smoked a rope over the right field wall for his 44th home run of the year. Yes, 44 freakin’ home runs from a guy that is also a starting pitcher.
https://twitter.com/Angels/status/1436484487257354240
The home run had an exit velocity of 114.7 mph. That’s his 23rd homer with an exit velocity of at least 110 mph this season, six more than anybody else.
23 of Shohei Ohtani's 44 HRs have been hit 110+ MPH.
That's 6 more than the next closest player. pic.twitter.com/oys4hv6iOX
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 11, 2021
It’s also the third homer he’s hit this season in a game he’s pitched.
Shohei Ohtani's HR is his 3rd this season in a game he's pitched
They've all been pretty snazzy:
Tonight: 114.7 mph EV
8/18: 110.1 mph, 430 ft
4/4: 115.2 mph, 451 ft pic.twitter.com/tJiLX1EYYF— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 11, 2021
Ohtani’s 44 homers lead the majors, with the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Kansas City Royals’ Salvador Pérez each two homers behind at 42.
[Photo Credit: Bally Sports West; MLB]
