Why you should be excited about Shohei Ohtani

Mark Townsend
·Yahoo Sports Contributor

The future of Major League Baseball got a lot brighter on Friday. Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese superstar who has long been coveted by major league teams, officially reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels. The 23-year-old brings with him both unique and elite talent. He has the ability to throw 100-mph fastballs and dominate hitters on the pitching mound, all while hitting 450-foot home runs and serving as a legitimate offensive threat at the plate.

How the Angels ultimately deploy Ohtani and his vast talent is a strategy we’re sure they’ve pondered for a long time. Ohtani wants to continue as a two-way player, but with MLB’s grueling schedule it will be a difficult proposition. The Angels will have another four months to carefully devise and finalize that game plan, though as Yahoo Sports’ Tim Brown notes, it won’t be easy to find the right balance.

Meanwhile, 29 other teams wish that problem was theirs to figure out.

It's time for everyone to get familiar with Shohei Ohtani and excited about his arrival in MLB. (AP)
It’s time for everyone to get familiar with Shohei Ohtani and excited about his arrival in MLB. (AP)

As for the rest of us, we won’t have to deal with such headaches. All we have to do is sit back and watch a premier talent test his skills at baseball’s highest level. For those who are familiar with Ohtani’s ability, the excitement level can’t get any higher. For those who are less familiar or are just learning of Ohtani right now, allow us to tell why you should be super excited too.

As we mentioned, Ohtani has been a two-way player for his five seasons playing baseball professionally in Japan. His production in both areas has led to him being called the Babe Ruth of Japan. Ruth ultimately made his name as a hitter, crushing 714 home runs over his historic career. Right now, Ohtani is known more for his pitching.

Ohtani routinely hits 100-102 mph with his fastball. That immediately puts him in Aroldis Chapman territory. Like Chapman though, he’s far from a one-pitch pitcher. Just watch this filthy slider.

Goodness that’s just unfair. Right-handed hitters have no chance when Ohtani spins a beauty like that. Not that left-handed hitters get off any easier when he drops in this curveball.

Ohtani’s pitching reels don’t feel real sometimes. The fastballs are effortless. The breaking balls have movement that seemingly comes straight from the famous Bugs Bunny’s baseball cartoon. It’s crazy.

And then Shohei Ohtani picks up a baseball bat and we’re wowed in completely different ways.

Ohtani’s power is so ridiculous he once hit a baseball through the roof at the Tokyo Dome. It’s so legit he’s even won a Home Run Derby against the strongest hitters in Japan. He stands a real chance to do things we didn’t think were possible in MLB. That alone is reason enough to be pumped about the arrival of Shohei Ohtani.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Yahoo Sports Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!