Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will participate in the Home Run Derby at Coors Field.
Sho-Time is headed to the All-Star Game festivities.
Ohtani is among the league leaders with 19 home runs, and has also pitched to a sub-3 ERA. He could very well be the American League MVP favorite for a reason, despite the Angels’ status as non-contenders in the AL West.
Despite dealing with Babe Ruth-sized expectations coming into the season, Ohtani has remained healthy (knock on wood) and even exceeded some of those hopes. It’s mid-June, and Ohtani remains a storyline around baseball. Every start, every at-bat, is of national significance.
At Coors Field, where baseballs fly out like no other ballpark in America, Ohtani can put on a show like never before. Set your alarms now.
MLB Home Run Derby: Shohei Ohtani to put on power display at Coors Field
Baseball fans reacted with pure, unadulterated excitement at the news Ohtani would be among the participants in the Home Run Derby this July.
Ohtani is officially in the Homerun Derby at Coors Field. He is going to hit absolute TANKS. Must watch stuff. https://t.co/VAexIhez32
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 18, 2021
EVERYBODY MARK YOUR CALENDARS THIS IS NOT A DRILL
— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 18, 2021
SHOHEI OHTANI IS IN THE HOME RUN DERBY pic.twitter.com/XueyBrX8cb
Get ready for Sho-time July 12th 🤩🎬⁰⁰Catch Shohei Ohtani in the 2021 Home Run Derby 👏 pic.twitter.com/Sdotl19xPl
— CAA Baseball (@CAA_Baseball) June 18, 2021
Shohei Ohtani, the first Japanese-born participant to compete in the Home Run Derby, won the HR derby in 2016 in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League. It's possible now to see him start the All-Star Game as a DH, pitch in the game,and win the HR derby, all within 24 hours
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 18, 2021
Shohei Ohtani will participate in the Home Run Derby at Coors Field. Get your popcorn ready.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) June 18, 2021
Shohei Ohtani in the Home Run Derby in Coors Field. Going to be ridiculous. Can’t get over how cool this is going to be.
— Devan Fink (@DevanFink) June 18, 2021
Ohtani to the Home Run Derby👼🏽🔥
— WalshyWorld🌎🔥 (@CRodEnthusiast) June 18, 2021
Source: Literally him pic.twitter.com/kJrpYpOc7e
Ohtani will be the first Japanese-born player to participate in the Home Run Derby. He previously won the Derby in the Nippon Professional Baseball League.
Should he start the All-Star Game as a designated hitter, pitch in the game and win the Home Run Derby…I can’t think of a better arrangement to grow the game of baseball.