We absolutely need Shohei Ohtani in the Home Run Derby

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Shohei Ohtani has taken the MLB by storm with his unique talent. That’s why he must be in the Home Run Derby in Washington this year.

MLB experts were unsure how Shohei Ohtani’s game would translate at this level. In Japan last year, Ohtani hit .332 in 65 games. On top of that, he was 3-2 with a 3.20 ERA on the mound in five starts.

He wanted to both pitch and hit at the MLB level and so far he’s excelled at just that. In 24 games, Ohtani is slashing .321/.367/.619 with six home runs and 17 runs batted in. With an OPS of .986 he’s impressed with the Angels.

In seven starts, Ohtani has been just as good on the mound as well. He’s 4-1 with a 3.35 ERA and he averages 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

Ohtani has a unique talent. We’ve never seen someone hit like this and pitch to this level at the same time. Of course, Babe Ruth went from a pitcher to an elite home run hitter, but in the modern era, this has been unseen in MLB.

Reporters have begun to ask Ohtani if he’s interested in participating in the Home Run Derby. Even though Ohtani only has six homers he’s displayed crazy pop. On Friday night, in batting practice, he hit one off the video board in right field at Angel Stadium which is an estimated 519 feet.

Ohtani, who said that he’s interested but not necessarily sure if he’s at the level to be in the Home Run Derby just yet absolutely has to be in it.

Yes, he’s not your prototypical power guy, but the Derby is a spectacle. It’s for fun and doesn’t count for anything. Why not give the fans what they want, the most polarizing guy in baseball on the biggest stage.

MLB struggles to promote their players and putting Ohtani in the Home Run Derby just adds to the spectacle. ESPN could then pump up that storyline even more so than they already do. Between Ohtani and Mike Trout the Angels should be appointment television.

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For the sake of promotion and entertainment value, Shohei Ohtani being in the Home Run Derby makes too much sense.

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