.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true']{background-color:#057AFF;}/*!sc*/ \n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","type":"rich","width":550},"type":"oembed"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"First, here's how Ohtani's sinker compares to his normal four-seamer.\n\n**4-seamer:** 97.2 mph / 2,220 rpm / 14.6\" of drop / 3.3\" of break \n**Sinker:** 97.6 mph / 1,994 rpm / 21.6\" of drop / 16.0\" of break\n\nIt's the difference you'd hope for. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner{width:100%;display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ In what ways has Ohtani evolved the most as a pitcher this season? You'll be nervous. Making his first Cactus League start in Oaklands 11-5 loss to the Angels at Hohokam Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, Fujinami turned in a performance that matched the excitement generated upon his signing this offseason. Ohtani's four-seamer has only 3.3 inches of horizontal movement, and his splitter has only 5.4 inches of horizontal movement. But by the time they get to the plate, the movement on the splitter has separated it significantly from the fastball. Hitters started the year 0-for-42 with 30 strikeouts against Ohtani's splitter. @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*/ .hUHmCp > article .ad-top-right-container::before,.hUHmCp > article .ad-bottom-right-container::before{font-family:"proxima-nova";content:"ADVERTISEMENT";display:block;position:absolute;top:-17px;text-align:center;width:100%;color:#888888;font-size:0.694rem;line-height:13px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{display:none;}/*!sc*/ Minimum 20 swings vs. that pitch type. *{box-sizing:border-box;}/*!sc*/ Fastest pitches thrown by SP since Ohtani's debut101.1 mph -- Shohei Ohtani (LAA), 5/30/18101.1 mph -- Gerrit Cole (HOU), 7/6/19101.1 mph -- Josh James (HOU), 9/1/18101.0 mph -- Shohei Ohtani (LAA), 4/24/18101.0 mph -- Shohei Ohtani (LAA), 4/24/18101.0 mph -- Nathan Eovaldi (BOS), 10/16/18 (postseason)101.0 mph -- Nathan Eovaldi (BOS), 10/8/18 (postseason), Shohei Ohtani, 101 mph pirouette pic.twitter.com/8pOSyzys8y. .kKeedG{color:#057AFF;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:none;font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;}/*!sc*/ He fared well against the Red Sox, and the cutter delivered positive results on the box score, but Ohtanis night was saved by a Juan Lagares, who robbed Bogaerts of a two-run home run off of an Ohtani cutter. data-styled.g100[id="styles__SearchWidgetContainer-sc-1vorjk3-0"]{content:"fYCiRB,"}/*!sc*/ Greta Thunberg carried away by police AGAIN. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link .icon__nav-item{margin-right:5px;width:10px;height:15px;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g10[id="buttonstyle__Label-sc-vlv7w5-0"]{content:"iwXciG,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__input{-webkit-appearance:none;position:relative;height:40px;font-family:'mlb-primary','Helvetica Neue','Helvetica','Arial', sans-serif;box-shadow:inset 0 1px 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.075);color:#000;font-size:16px;width:100%;min-width:250px;background-color:#ffffff;border:0px;border-radius:6px;padding:0.25rem 1rem;line-height:1.42857143;margin-bottom:2px;}/*!sc*/ His splitter sits a tick higher than the slider, in the 86-88 range, and dives down out of the zone late: Shohei Otani splitter/forkball grip, release and travel. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner::after{display:inline-block;}/*!sc*/ \n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","type":"rich","width":550},"type":"oembed"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"In total, hitters have swung 23 times at Ohtani's splitter so far. .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*/ .ebrWqN{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;background-color:#f3f3f3;border-radius:50%;-webkit-border-radius:50%;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner::after{display:none;content:'';width:0;height:0;position:absolute;left:auto;right:-1px;top:33%;z-index:calc(99992 + 1);border-color:transparent #ffffff transparent transparent;border-style:solid;border-width:8px;}/*!sc*/ Ohtani was definitely feeling the splitter on Sunday. Ohtani's splitter is generating the highest swing-and-miss rate of any individual pitch in MLB. .huJzbO{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}/*!sc*/ h1{font-size:2em;margin:0.67em 0;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.locale,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.search{display:none;}/*!sc*/ From the opposing side, Fujinami left a strong first impression. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.account--logged-in::after{background:none;bottom:-17px;content:'';height:22px;left:auto;right:7px;opacity:0;position:absolute;-webkit-transform:rotate(45deg);-ms-transform:rotate(45deg);transform:rotate(45deg);-webkit-transition:opacity 100ms ease 100ms;transition:opacity 100ms ease 100ms;width:22px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner a,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner span{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top{padding:0 16px;}}/*!sc*/ Shohei Ohtani delights fans after sprinting out a home run for the Angels. 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. .blUWSx .share-list__item{position:absolute;}/*!sc*/ That's just as a hitter. Ohtani's new sinker should work just as well with the sweeping style of slider he throws. .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*/ .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*/ data-styled.g29[id="linkstyle__AnchorElement-sc-1rt6me7-0"]{content:"kKeedG,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon--sm{top:0.5rem;right:0.5rem;}/*!sc*/ 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. First time over here, you know the eyes are on you. .gkgVOa{display:inline-block;width:100%;height:auto;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ They went 2-for-55 against it -- an .036 batting average. The first hit he allowed was a single by Wilson Ramos off third baseman Zack Cozart's glove on May 20. Shohei Ohtani was called for two balks and threw a wild pitch in a two-run fifth inning, as he pitched, batted and played in the outfield in the Los Angeles' 6-5, 10-inning victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top{height:56px;}/*!sc*/ Granted, those numbers have come in the microscopic sample of 13 innings (over two starts against the Oakland As, one of the worst teams in baseball). Ohtani was definitely feeling the splitter on Sunday. .sczZi{border-bottom:1px solid #dddddd;border-top:1px solid #dddddd;font-size:1rem;margin:32px 16px;padding:32px 0;}/*!sc*/ "I don't have a sinker," Ohtani said demurely, amid laughter in his shy yet proficient English. button:-moz-focusring,[type="button"]:-moz-focusring,[type="reset"]:-moz-focusring,[type="submit"]:-moz-focusring{outline:1px dotted ButtonText;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__leagues{min-width:600px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__divisions{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__divisions > *{-webkit-flex:1 0 200px;-ms-flex:1 0 200px;flex:1 0 200px;margin-left:0;}}/*!sc*/ He is on pace for 8.1 WAR, a tick below last. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:focus{outline:1px dotted #041E42;}/*!sc*/ This is from Premier 12. so impressive as both a pitcher and hitter, carried a perfect game into the seventh inning, How The Federal Reserve Is The Shadow Branch Of The Government, Why Original Predictions About The War In Ukraine Were So Off. 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. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams{padding:8px;}/*!sc*/ 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. As a pitcher, he's rocking a 132 ERA+and striking out. Ohtanis split-finger fastball in particular might be the nastiest pitch in baseball so far this season. It didnt bother me, Fujinami said of the extra attention. Combien gagne t il d argent ? That includes an especially ridiculous 92.6 mph splitter to strike out Robert on April 4. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon{display:inline-block;-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;line-height:20px;}/*!sc*/ Special accommodations even had to be made at Hohokam for the larger-than-usual media contingent, which included 40 members of Japanese media. Place index and middle fingers on the outside of the horseshoe seam. All rights reserved. body.article{font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff;line-height:1.5;}/*!sc*/ Los Angeles Angels (35) .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner{opacity:1;}/*!sc*/ Shohei Ohtani vs. Aaron Judge: Who Deserves the AL MVP? I thought this game showed Japanese fans some good entertainment.","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"PhotoPart","caption":null,"contextualCaption":null,"contextualAspectRatio":null,"credit":null,"format":"jpg","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/v1677631799/mlb/v4ook8ooawv5ux123nfj","type":"photo"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Theres a strong chance Fujinami will face the Angels again in about a month -- the As open the regular season March 30 by hosting the Angels for a three-game series at the Coliseum. .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*/ [hidden]{display:none;}/*!sc*/ I felt really good in the first inning, but I was trying to do too much in the second, Fujinami said through interpreter Issei Kamada. pic.twitter.com/xarW9lrNbb, Shohei Ohtani, 2018 Highlights. article ul,article ol{padding:0;margin:0 0 0 2.5rem;}/*!sc*/ .hUHmCp > article .ad-top-right-container,.hUHmCp > article .ad-bottom-right-container{position:relative;margin-bottom:64px;min-height:250px;}/*!sc*/ You saw the swing and miss or the weak contact. button,select{text-transform:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .mlb-header__login-menu{border-color:#057AFF;}/*!sc*/ Why Valentina Shevchenko Is A Huge Favorite And Jon Jones Isnt At UFC 285. The sinker gives him six. Now he's adding a sinker that also looks like it showcases standout stuff, and it should harmonize with the pitch mix he already had. At this point, Ohtani going for nine strikeouts in 7.2 innings and . Shohei Ohtani has been known to speak through a translator at many press appearances. .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*/ small{font-size:80%;}/*!sc*/ His FIP, xFIP and xERA are all between 3.57 and 3.68. Mike DiGiovanna has been covering Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Times since 1995 and spent 19 years as the Angels beat writer and two seasons on the Dodgers. h2.Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0{font-size:1.2rem;margin-bottom:8px;color:#666666;}/*!sc*/ It is a purely vertical splitter, which looks almost identical to his four-seam fastball until it doesn't. .HQoYx{border:0;padding:0;text-align:center;}/*!sc*/ I love this shot, you can see Ohtani's grip on his devastating split finger pitch. @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-club] .header__nav-top{background-image:linear-gradient( #002D72 50%, #041E42 50% );}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent::after{border-color:transparent transparent #057AFF;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--current{border-color:#057AFF;}}/*!sc*/ It is a purely _vertical_ splitter, which looks almost identical to his four-seam fastball until it doesn't.\n\nOhtani throws a true four-seamer. data-styled.g164[id="Styles__AspectRatioContainer-sc-1t1lmmv-0"]{content:"jiNMQU,"}/*!sc*/ But the Angels cant say Ohtani exceeded expectations, because they didnt have an innings range in mind for him this season. 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. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-items{background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g159[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Input-sc-d7sh2p-4"]{content:"kwDmpG,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__subnav--transparent{background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.7);width:calc(100vw - 145px);}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff') format('woff');font-weight:500;font-style:normal;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold.woff') format('woff');font-weight:600;font-style:normal;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/