Shohei Ohtani Was Hitting Upper Deck Tanks During Batting Practice In Toronto

By now, I think we’re all well aware that in addition to being able to hit triple digits on the radar gun that Shohei Ohtani can also launch bombs. Ohtani went 1-for-5 in his big league debut at the plate, and then homered in three straight games. He’s gotten 90 plate appearances so far, and he’s left the yard six times, hitting .321 with a .986 OPS. The Angels are in Toronto for a three-game series that goes through Thursday, and Ohtani put on a SHO during batting practice in Toronto! Get it?? Like fucking SHOhei?

Just yesterday, Ohtani shook off the notion that he’d compete in this year’s Home Run Derby. Uhhhh why? Logan Morrison pissed and moaned last year because he didn’t get picked for the Derby even though he had more homers than some of the participants, but that’s because nobody cares about Logan Morrison. I’d rather see Gary Sanchez launch bombs over LoMo. Literally. Morrison can be out there with the little kids shagging flies in the outfield if he wants to go to the Home Run Derby so bad.

But the idea that Ohtani needs to reach a certain level that he’s not yet reached before he can participate in the Home Run Derby is just flat out silly.

After reporters asked him about participating in July’s Home Run Derby, Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani downplayed his ability Sunday.

“I don’t think I’m at that level yet,” Ohtani said. “I’m honored to be in that conversation.”

Bro, you’re already at that level. I don’t care how many homers he has by the All Star break — I wanna see Ohtani in the Derby. And by the way, he WON the Japanese Home Run Derby two years ago, the same year that he hit 22 homers in 104 games for the Nippon Ham Fighters.

Enough with the modest shit. We get it. You respect the game. You want to earn your spot. That’s great and all, but if the fans want to see you in the Home Run Derby, then that should be all the validation that you need.