Fansided

Each MLB team’s biggest X-factor

By Joshua Sadlock

TEMPE, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Shohei Ohtani
TEMPE, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Shohei Ohtani /
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TEMPE, AZ -MARCH 09: Shohei Ohtani of Los Angeles Angels pitches during the practice game against the Tijuana Toros of the Mexican League on March 9, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ -MARCH 09: Shohei Ohtani of Los Angeles Angels pitches during the practice game against the Tijuana Toros of the Mexican League on March 9, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani

Baseball’s greatest experiment since the DH or interleague play is set to begin in earnest this season in Anaheim. The Los Angeles Angels hit the jackpot and landed Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. The 23-year-old who throws right-handed and bats from the left side has been adamant about making it work as a pitcher and a hitter.

The Angels haven’t fully revealed their plan to get Ohtani innings and at-bats. The hitting may come along more slowly as he adjusts to life as an MLB player. Los Angeles did trade first baseman/DH C.J. Cron, seemingly paving the way for Ohtani to DH between starts. It’s not likely that he will hit on days that he pitches so that the Angels can avoid having to work around the loss of the DH after he leaves the game. With Ohtani taking a partial share of the DH at-bats, that means Albert Pujols will be forced out into the field a few times a week.

Scouts are not so bullish on Ohtani’s chances to make a consistent impact as a hitter, and the Angels will have to determine how best to deploy him at the plate. The talent is there for Ohtani to be a legitimate power threat, but he needs the at-bats on a consistent basis, and it will be difficult to get them if he hits only three or four times a week.

By all accounts, Ohtani is set to dominate as a pitcher. If he can be the ace the Angels have been seeking for years, this is a playoff team. It’s that simple. The other moves the Angels front office made this winter are all strong and help to complete a roster around Mike Trout. Ohtani tops them all. He has the potential to be a once-in-a-generation type talent.

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