Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is extensively considered one among baseball’s high hitters, however MLB’s all-time house run chief believes in the present day’s recreation presents fewer challenges for batters. Throughout an look on the “All The Smoke” podcast, Barry Bonds shared his perspective on how hitting has modified over time.
Over his 22-year MLB profession, Barry Bonds established himself as one of many recreation’s most dominant gamers, setting the all-time house run report with 762 whereas incomes seven MVP Awards, 12 Silver Sluggers, eight Gold Gloves, and 14 All-Star picks.
Bonds’ adorned profession offers him a deep understanding of what it takes to dominate the game. He shared his perspective with Shohei Ohtani, a participant extensively considered one among baseball’s brightest stars.
“I simply hope he simply stays on the hitting class as a result of his hitting capability is off the chart. Pitching, I simply assume may tire him out. I believe he ought to come out of the bullpen right here and there, as a result of he’s DH’ing he can come out of the bullpen and throw an inning or two right here and simply because he’s so good as a reliever too,” Bonds remarked when speaking about Ohtani.
Such a shift could be important for Ohtani, who has been a formidable presence on the mound since getting into MLB in 2018, beginning 86 video games with a 3.01 ERA, 1.061 WHIP, and holding opponents to a .200 batting common and .612 OPS.
Barry Bonds suggesting Shohei Ohtani to be a reliever
Associated Los Angeles Dodgers InformationArticle continues beneath
“Like he could possibly be one of many dominant relievers and dominant starters. I believe as a starter, I believe it’d get put on and tear slightly bit and tire him out. Why repair one thing that isn’t damaged as a result of me, I’d be like no, I ain’t repair nothing that ain’t damaged.
Ohtani’s excellence as a pitcher was instrumental in his unanimous AL MVP wins in 2021 and 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels. Nevertheless, after an elbow harm prevented him from pitching in 2024, he continued to showcase his offensive dominance with the Dodgers, incomes the NL MVP unanimously after recording a .310/.390/.646 slash line and topping the Nationwide League with a 190 OPS+.
Bonds additionally identified one other key distinction: the quantity of batting apply fashionable gamers take. He noticed, “these guys hit greater than I’ve ever seen in my lifetime.”
Ohtani additionally crushed 54 house runs and swiped 59 bases, making historical past as the primary MLB participant to achieve 50 in each classes inside a single season. These excellent offensive stats spotlight that even when Ohtani follows Bonds’ suggestion and transitions to a aid function, he would nonetheless be a extremely helpful asset for the Dodgers.
As for Bonds’ house run report, he nonetheless holds a cushty lead. Ohtani would want 537 extra homers to match him—a frightening problem for any hitter, whatever the supposed benefits of in the present day’s recreation.