The World Baseball Classic this year saw several players come close to earning MVP honors. Masataka Yoshida drove in 13 RBIs, while Trea Turner blasted five home runs, to name a few strong performances.
However, none stood out more than Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels star who represented Team Japan. True to his career form, Ohtani shone both as a pitcher and a hitter. On the mound, he posted a 1.86 ERA over 9.2 innings, including a crucial save in the final game against the United States.
His 11 strikeouts ranked him third in the tournament for that category. At the plate, Ohtani was equally impressive, boasting a .435/.606/.739 slash line, four doubles, a home run, eight RBIs, and a 1.345 OPS.
These numbers earned him the MVP title, as he proved to be one of the tournament’s top hitters and pitchers. But his impact went beyond just statistics. Ohtani also dominated in the unofficial “wow” factor, with fans left in awe of his performances.
His 102-mph fastball against Italy in the quarterfinals was the fastest pitch of the event, and his 118.7-mph hit against the Czech Republic marked the hardest hit ball in the tournament. Additionally, he sent the furthest ball of the Classic flying out of the park.
There seems to be nothing Ohtani can’t do. Truly, he’s an extraordinary talent, defying expectations at every turn. In every sense, Ohtani is one of the most remarkable and unique players to ever grace a baseball field.
