It’s never too early to name your Opening Day starter. For the Los Angeles Angels, it was an easy call to make.
Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani got the nod for March 30 against the Oakland Athletics.
March 30: Shohei Ohtani Day pic.twitter.com/ayMxoS6mmU
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) February 16, 2023
This will be Ohtani’s second consecutive opener, and according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs, he will be the first Angels pitcher to start consecutive Opening Days since Jered Weaver started six straight from 2010-15.
This also could very well be the last season Ohtani sports an Angels uniform, but it isn’t without any reported efforts, of course.
In addition to star outfielder Mike Trout doing everything he can to ensure he stays put, Angels owner Arte Moreno followed suit to say he’d love to keep him as well.
“He’s one of a kind, He’s a great person, Moreno told The New York Post during the MLB owner’s meetings. He’s obviously one of the most popular baseball players in the world, and he’s an international star. He’s a great teammate. He works hard. He’s a funny guy, and he has a really good rapport with fans.”
Thanks to Shohei Ohtani's stardom, the Home Run Derby will be televised live in Japan for the first time in at least 25 years.
Also this season, the 10 most-watched baseball games in Japan have all been Angels games.
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) July 10, 2021
Moreno added he believes the Angels have as good of a chance as any organization to get the superstar.
Last season, in his second All-Star select campaign, Ohtani slashed .273/.356/.875 all while striking out 219 batters in 166 innings, and was the runner-up for American League MVP.
When he burst onto the scene in 2021, Ohtani became the first two-way player (pitcher and designated hitter) in MLB history with 10-plus home runs, 20-plus stolen bases as a hitter and 100-plus strikeouts, and 10-plus pitcher appearances as a pitcher in the same season. And he was unanimously selected as the AL MVP.
While the 28-year-old looks to be a free agent this offseason, many teams, of course, will be interested in the two-time All-Star.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.