Theres chatter about him participating in the Home Run Derby, and he also possesses one of the best pitches in the history of baseball, somehow. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav{background-color:#081c3b;width:145px;-ms-overflow-style:none;}/*!sc*/ In case you were wondering, the one hitter to reach base against Ohtani's splitter is reigning American League MVP Jos Abreu, who drew a walk against it on a full-count splitter that Ohtani helicoptered way up and out of the strike zone. .ebrWqN:-moz-loading{color:#f3f3f3;}/*!sc*/ Ohtani is definitely a class act, from an extreme A's fan. How To Throw A Filthy Splitter (12 Pictures Of Grips) Kyle Crick (PIT): +10.8 inches above avg. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo a,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo a{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex:1 1 auto;-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;}/*!sc*/ The one way two-way star Shohei Ohtani is clearly the - Washington Post .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav ::-webkit-scrollbar{width:0px;}/*!sc*/ Within the small sample that he's thrown (only 13 total), Ohtani has used his sinker to get swings-and-misses from Ty France and Bo Bichette and a first-pitch strike on Alejandro Kirk, and the only contact against it has been a slow chopper foul by Bichette and a groundout to third by France. .dLQAwR{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin-right:8px;min-height:48px;margin-bottom:8px;padding-right:8px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight:hover .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. data-styled.g143[id="Styles__SocialContainer-sc-1h38xz1-0"]{content:"blLcNM,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{display:none;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-style:italic;font-weight:800;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ His four-seamer is a true four-seamer -- it comes straight at the hitter, with very little horizontal movement. Ohtanis eight-inning no-decision pushed him to 123 1/3 innings this season. @media (min-width:1024px){article > header{padding:0;}}/*!sc*/ .hpFxqr{line-height:1.1;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__team-logo--container{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;margin-left:auto;}/*!sc*/ A 100 mph fastball, an unhittable splitter, one of the biggest-breaking sliders in the league and that's just Ohtani the pitcher. This enforces the splitters downward movement. He lost control in the second inning, but good pitchers get those outs when they need.. .drUhS rect{fill:#000000;stroke:#000000;}/*!sc*/ body.side-nav-open{max-height:100vh;overflow:hidden;overscroll-behavior:none;touch-action:none;position:fixed;top:0;width:100vw;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g161[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Submit-sc-d7sh2p-6"]{content:"huJzbO,"}/*!sc*/ Fortune Salaire Mensuel de Hoyla Tools Kindling Splitter Combien gagne @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:normal;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon--sm{top:0.5rem;right:0.5rem;}/*!sc*/ .evwvnJ p{margin-top:0;}/*!sc*/ As a pitcher, Ohtani is a little tougher study. Command of all of his stuff, repetition of his delivery, hes quicker out of the stretch, he goes to the slower, more elongated delivery when no one is on base, Maddon said. Of the 108 pitches he threw in an eight-inning, two-run, five-hit, 10-strikeout effort, 55 were splitters, the most thrown in a game by any pitcher since 2008, per Statcast. Ohtani's sinker has the same upper-90s velocity as his four-seamer, but with a very different movement profile. He makes adjustments constantly, but the biggest difference from when I first saw him last year to now is overall command of all of his pitches.. .blLcNM .content .share-btn{-webkit-align-self:flex-end;-ms-flex-item-align:end;align-self:flex-end;margin-left:auto;min-width:32px;position:relative;top:-16px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side{display:none;-webkit-align-items:stretch;-webkit-box-align:stretch;-ms-flex-align:stretch;align-items:stretch;width:100%;height:calc(100vh - 56px);position:relative;overflow:hidden;z-index:99992;top:0;}/*!sc*/ And then you realize it's not even the best reason to watch Ohtani. data-styled.g154[id="newsletterLogostyle__NewsletterLogoContainer-sc-j5dgcz-0"]{content:"bZhBFV,"}/*!sc*/ .bZhBFV img{max-width:220px;}/*!sc*/ @media (max-width:350px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link .icon__nav-item{display:none;}}/*!sc*/ @media screen and (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-club],.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-microsite]{background-image:linear-gradient( #002D72 50%, #041E42 50% );}}/*!sc*/ h2.Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0{font-size:1.2rem;margin-bottom:8px;color:#666666;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Regardez le Salaire Mensuel de Hoyla Tools Kindling Splitter en temps rel. Ohtani, a 27-year-old sensation from Japan, has taken the league by storm and may be baseball's most popular player. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .mlb-header--inner{margin:auto;max-width:none;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ He makes adjustments constantly, but the biggest difference from when I first saw him last year to now is overall command of all of his pitches.. Perhaps the most fascinating story in baseball is Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels' two-way phenomenon who is making his mark as both a hitter and a pitcher. .iQELft{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:600;font-style:italic;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ The list of Ohtani splitter strikeout victims includes Matt Olson (four times), Matt Chapman (twice), Marcus Semien (twice), Yuli Gurriel (twice), Nelson Cruz and Jos Altuve -- great hitters waving at a great pitch. From the opposing side, Fujinami left a strong first impression.\n\nHe throws hard, that's for sure, said Angels manager Phil Nevin. Hitters started the year 0-for-42 with 30 strikeouts against Ohtani's splitter. @media (min-width:768px){.epHHrr.youtube iframe{width:500px;}}/*!sc*/ Its just a spring game. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon{display:inline-block;-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;line-height:20px;}/*!sc*/ ","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-04-05T04:56:04.5Z","description":"Shohei Ohtani throws a few pitches over 100 miles per hour and gets pumped up after striking out Luis Robert","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:25","mp4AvcPlayback":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/04/df1cc56e-437b5b74-ae564962-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","slug":"shohei-ohtani-gets-pumped-after-k","tags":[{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"gamepk-634637","title":"2021/04/04 cws@ana"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-108","title":"Los Angeles Angels"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"playerid-660271","title":"Shohei Ohtani"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"group-3","title":"group 3"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"yahoo-fantasy","title":"Yahoo Fantasy"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"1-yahoo-fantasy-feed","title":"1-Yahoo Fantasy Feed"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/cjxtqyzhtbfqwih2z62a","title":"Shohei Ohtani gets pumped after K","type":"video","url":"/video/shohei-ohtani-gets-pumped-after-k"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"The secret to Ohtani's splitter is the direction of its movement. The SF Giants face Angels ace Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday in Anaheim OAKLAND, CA - MAY 27: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) smiles at fans while walking to the dugout before the. It covers an area of 225.45 square kilometres (87.05 sq mi) of which 5.95 km 2 (2.30 sq mi) is water. Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 in Anaheim, California.. legend{box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit;display:table;max-width:100%;padding:0;white-space:normal;}/*!sc*/ Well, you should see what's happening in 2021. Shohei Ohtani unbuckles his pants in the middle of a baseball game I want to keep on throwing I think every time I throw, I learn something and get better, Ohtani said. Sports News Without Fear, Favor or Compromise. That cutter gave him five different nasty pitches, adding to his four-seamer, splitter, slider and curve. Shohei Ohtani and Kevin Gausman was a battle of pitchers with the best two split-fingered fastballs in baseball. Shohei Ohtani Finally Let Loose | Defector There are very clear cutter starts and non-cutter starts. Ohtani's splitter gets almost 34 inches of vertical drop compared to only 14 inches of vertical drop on his four-seamer, so it . @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular.woff') format('woff');font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ .groqnz .ad-body-container{border-color:#dddddd;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 1px 0;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;margin:0 2%;min-height:343px;width:96%;}/*!sc*/ Angels' Historic All-Star Shohei Ohtani Just Keeps Adding to Year for .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side__nav-item[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item__subnav-arrow{opacity:0;}/*!sc*/ Its been no more complicated than that, really.. His four-seamer is a true four-seamer -- it comes straight at the hitter, with very little horizontal movement. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:italic;}/*!sc*/ The first hit he allowed was a single by Wilson Ramos off third baseman Zack Cozart's glove on May 20. data-styled.g165[id="Styles__AspectRatioContent-sc-1t1lmmv-1"]{content:"fvEQJr,"}/*!sc*/ Shohei Ohtani threw a nasty split-fingered fastball in the first inning on Sunday that raised the eyebrows of Angels manager Joe Maddon, who is not used to seeing his two-way star go to his signature put-away pitch so soon. Finally, Ohtani is a two-way player again. .mHQYb .p-search-item__image-selector--active{background-color:#4c8cee;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx .share-button__link--message-icon{width:10px;margin-right:5px;}/*!sc*/ He declared himself fit after completing a 32-pitch bullpen session on Friday, and the Angels had no reservations starting him on Sunday, even though Ohtani has a history of elbow injuries and the team is well out of playoff contention. .huJzbO{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}/*!sc*/ Hes good enough. That early? Maddon said after a 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Oakland Athletics in Angel Stadium. @media (min-width:768px){.cHcHkC{font-size:1.44rem;max-height:32px;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap;display:block;-webkit-line-clamp:none;-webkit-box-orient:inline-axis;}.cHcHkC::before,.cHcHkC::after{display:none;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top [class$='button-menu--icon'] span{background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top [class$='__nav-item__text']{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. With a minimum of 20 swings against that pitch. .mHQYb .p-search-item__image-thumbnail{margin-top:auto;height:45px;}/*!sc*/ Ohtani has ramped up his splitter velocity this season, and that's made it filthier than ever. .cHcHkC{font-size:1.2rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0;max-height:48px;overflow:hidden;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;width:100%;-webkit-line-clamp:2;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;}/*!sc*/ Who is LA Angels' Shohei Ohtani and why is he compared to baseball's The cutter was a fun experiment, but its not netting the results necessary to keep throwing it a significant percentage of the time. robert ball on Twitter: "Ohtani Splitter #ShoheiOhtani #Ohtani #Shohei .kwDmpG input{box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:16px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#081c3b;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top > *{-webkit-order:0;-ms-flex-order:0;order:0;-webkit-flex:1 1 auto;-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx .share-button__link--message{position:absolute;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;height:100%;left:-105px;bottom:2px;padding:0 5px;border-radius:5px;background:#041E42;color:#ffffff;font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;font-size:12px;}/*!sc*/ If we had to pick one part of his game to bank on most, though, there is reason to believe that Ohtanis pitching will outpace his hitting as his rookie year goes on. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline{margin-right:auto;display:none;}/*!sc*/ Gausman currently throws 50.4% four-seam fastballs and splitters a whopping 40.2% of pitches. It was one thing to hear about Ohtani's 100 mph fastball and watch the Nippon Professional Baseball highlights on YouTube in the winter of 2017-18. For the season, Ohtani is getting whiffs on 57% of swings on the splitter and 37% whiffs from the slider. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span{display:block;position:absolute;height:2px;width:24px;background:#ffffff;opacity:1;-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);-ms-transform:rotate(0deg);transform:rotate(0deg);-webkit-transition:all 250ms ease-in-out;transition:all 250ms ease-in-out;border-radius:3px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__league{margin-bottom:5px;}/*!sc*/ pic.twitter.com/YtnSTe91mg, The Angels made the designation official when they released their 2020 player pool this week. As a pitcher, he's rocking a 132 ERA+and striking out. Shohei Ohtani was already 10-7 with a 2.68 ERA and 157 strikeouts -- and that's just what his pitcher half was doing -- when he added a brand-new weapon to his arsenal. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-url-logos{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}/*!sc*/ As a pitcher, he carried a perfect game into the seventh inning of his start Sunday, finishing the game with 12 strikeouts tied for the most of any starter in a game so far this year. The last person to do what Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to do on Monday Faced . Because while the Angels phenom slugged his way to 40 home runs and an .883 OPS through his first two MLB seasons, proving he can hit with the best, Ohtani hasn't taken the mound for a start in nearly two full calendar years. According to research from MLB.coms Mike Petriello, the maximum outputs from Ohtanis Statcast data gathered by radar and cameras that track every move made on the field show that Ohtani possesses an arm that can throw harder than 87 percent of pitchers, a bat that can launch balls faster than 89 percent of hitters and legs that run faster than 84 percent of base runners. The most shocking thing about Ohtanis splitter is that he doesnt use it more than 18.5% of the time. The Barista Express grinds, foams milk, and produces the silkiest espresso at the perfect temperature. .evwvnJ{line-height:1.5;margin:0 auto 16px;max-width:470px;padding-left:0;position:relative;width:-webkit-fit-content;width:-moz-fit-content;width:fit-content;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-items--spillover{display:none;}/*!sc*/ It's been too long. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(1),.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(4){opacity:0;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g162[id="Styles__NewsletterOptinContainer-sc-10yslsy-0"]{content:"sczZi,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Over the past 34 days, though, there has been eye-opening evidence that Two-Way Star Shohei Ohtani might be back. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__subnav{background-color:#ffffff;width:calc(100vw - 145px);}/*!sc*/ .jiNMQU{background:#f3f3f3;padding-top:56.25%;position:relative;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ A video posted by "TIME" magazine on their Twitter account shows Ohtani giving a brief lesson on the art of pitching. They struck out in 35 of those 59 plate appearances -- a 59% strikeout rate. At the plate, Shohei Ohtani is hitting .279 with 70 RBIs, trailing only Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr (73) and Boston's Rafael Devers (72). .blUWSx{height:30px;position:relative;width:30px;}/*!sc*/ Angels' Shohei Ohtani has smooth first outing with pitch clock - Los .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-weight:700;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;padding:10px 12px;}/*!sc*/ They've whiffed on 17 of those swings. His sinker fades down and to the arm side, breaking over a foot more than his four-seam fastball while dropping seven additional inches. abbr[title]{border-bottom:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration:underline dotted;text-decoration:underline dotted;}/*!sc*/ The leagues top scoring offense could muster only four hits off Ohtani. .groqnz.markdown.youtube,.groqnz.photo figcaption.youtube,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed.youtube{padding:0;}/*!sc*/ main{display:block;}/*!sc*/ I think he was experimenting with some different grips, and apparently it was working pretty well. Each allowed only one run in a tremendous pitching duel between the Angels and Giants. Shohei Ohtani Doing It All (Two Way Player) 2021 Highlights Ohtani boasts a 154 wRC+ and a 163 ERA+, which means that per those metrics, he's been more than 50 percent better than average on. I spoke with Perry [Minasian, Angels general manager] in spring training, and we decided just to watch and see how hes doing and make decisions based on where hes at during the course of the year. Those are just the most fun of the Ohtani splitter fun facts. It's a sinker, and it's a good one. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo--with-sponsor,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo--with-sponsor,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo--with-tagline,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo--with-tagline{display:none;}/*!sc*/ He's averaging 89.9 mph on the split-finger in 2021, up over two-and-a-half ticks from the 87.3 mph he averaged as a rookie in 2018. .hspSPq{height:32px;padding-left:10px;padding-right:10px;font-size:13px;-webkit-transition:0.2s;transition:0.2s;border-radius:5px;font-weight:bold;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#057AFF;border:none;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content{-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;}}/*!sc*/ Based on what Fujinami showed Tuesday, the As are optimistic about what a more refined version of the right-hander might look like as he continues to develop and adjust throughout Spring Training. Shohei Ohtani vs. Kevin Gausman was a wonderful pitching duel For a first time out, Langeliers felt like the two were on the same page for most of it.\n\nThe more I catch him and the more we work together, the more Im going to start to think like him, Langeliers said. He has a great feel for what hes doing out there. Some of that was evident in the second inning, which he began by walking the first three batters -- including a four-pitch walk to Trey Cabbage that loaded the bases with no outs. Next Tournament: Yakushi: Best batting lineup Seido: Best pitching lineup Pedro on Ohtani's Splitter - MLB Tonight | Shohei Ohtani's splitter has Hes based on feel. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Oakland Athletics, Shaikin: Is Major League Baseball really dying? .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side__nav-item[aria-expanded='true']{-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;}/*!sc*/ He declared himself fit after completing a 32-pitch bullpen session on Friday, and the Angels had no reservations starting him on Sunday, even though Ohtani has a history of elbow injuries and the team is well out of playoff contention. SF Giants' plan for Shohei Ohtani, what made Mauricio Dubn emotional .blUWSx .share-button__link{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:hover{background-color:#057AFF;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Defined as either a 3-0, 2-0 or 3-1 count. Ohtani throws splitter 42.7% when ahead in the count and four-seam fastball 64.6% on the first pitch or when behind in the count. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold.woff') format('woff');font-style:normal;font-weight:800;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ Second, consider Ohtani's two wipeout out pitches: his splitter and his slider. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side .header__subnav__item,.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side .header__subnav__group-title{padding:14px 10px;}/*!sc*/ He dominated Oakland by throwing 49 percent sliders, 22 percent cutters, 14 percent curveballs, 11 percent sinkers, 5 percent splitters and just . Now imagine that Ohtani, feeling strong and healthy and like he could maybe start throwing 50 or more splitters per game for a short period of time, gets to make a few starts in the playoffs. Shohei Ohtani, 3 Ks in the 1st inning (all Filthy Splitters). data-styled.g155[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Form-sc-d7sh2p-0"]{content:"fAmXvR,"}/*!sc*/ Ohtani added a cutter to his repertoire this season, but before his start against Boston last night, he was allowing a .445 wOBA and .348 average against the cutter. Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani has multiple weapons on the mound, but his trademark is his splitter. Ohtani is 9-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 22 starts, with 146 strikeouts, 44 walks and a 1.11 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning). Imagine being a hitter who has to tell those two pitches apart -- especially when Ohtani's fastball is coming in at 100-plus mph, and his splitter, an "offspeed" pitch, is coming in at 90-plus mph. I feel good physically, so I wanted to try more splitters.. The only counterevidence to Ohtanis dominance is sample sizehes thrown 158 splitters this yearwhich sums up how thoroughly the Angels pitcher is owning opposing batters right now. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:italic;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ As a pitcher who is known to throw well over 100 miles per hour, Ohtani's fastball is a major money-maker for him. He has five total starts this season with cutter usage less than 3.5% and six starts with cutter usage greater than 14%. .groqnz .ad-body-container .ad-body-inner-container{margin-bottom:32px;padding:43px 0 16px 0;position:relative;text-align:center;width:343px;}/*!sc*/ He has given up 93 hits and held opponents to a .208 average. Highest whiff rate with a single pitch type, 2021 .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container__revenue{display:none;}/*!sc*/ template{display:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu--open{display:block;left:auto;opacity:1;}/*!sc*/ Despite his splitter looking practically unhittable on the first two strikeouts, he said he would like to be able to throw it as a means of getting ahead in the count as well.\n\nBased on what Fujinami showed Tuesday, the As are optimistic about what a more refined version of the right-hander might look like as he continues to develop and adjust throughout Spring Training.\n\nShohei was on the other side -- who is one of the best players in the world, Emerson said. Then came Yermn Mercedes. sub,sup{font-size:75%;line-height:0;position:relative;vertical-align:baseline;}/*!sc*/