Shohei Ohtani

ATC projections by Ariel Cohen. Steamer projections by Steamer Projections Blog. THE BAT projections by Derek Carty. Zeile Consensus projections by FantasyPros.

Fantasy Baseball News Last 90 Days

Shohei Ohtani Wins World Baseball Classic MVP Award

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani shined bright Tuesday as Team Japan defeated Team USA 3-2 to win the World Baseball Classic. Ohtani served as the team's closer to protect a one-run lead. He allowed a leadoff walk to Jeff McNeil before getting Mookie Betts to ground into a double play. In one of the tournament's greatest moments, Ohtani struck out Mike Trout on a full count to end the game, earning Team Japan the championship and himself the Most Valuable Player Award. Ohtani displayed his elite pitching and hitting skills throughout the tournament, adding further evidence that he is one of fantasy's top players.

Mar 22 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani Available To Pitch In WBC Final

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani is available to pitch one inning of relief for Team Japan on Tuesday night against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final, according to Angels manager Phil Nevin. If Ohtani pitches on Tuesday evening, it won't affect his availability to make the team's Opening Day start on March 30 on the road against the Oakland Athletics. There's also a chance that San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish throws a couple innings in relief against Team USA. The 28-year-old Ohtani has proven that he can do anything on a baseball diamond, but he's arguably more dominant on the mound for the Angels and fantasy managers as an elite fantasy ace.

Mar 21 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani Could Pitch In WBC Final

Team Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama won't rule out Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani being available to pitch in relief in a potential championship game against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday. First, Team Japan must come from behind to beat Team Mexico in the semifinals on Monday night. The 28-year-old two-way star would probably only pitch an inning in relief on Tuesday if Japan advances to the championship. If it weren't for New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge breaking the American League single-season home run record last year, Ohtani likely would have taken home AL MVP honors. Ohtani is RotoBaller's top-ranked fantasy starting pitcher.

Mar 20 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Arte Moreno Discusses Ohtani, Luxury Tax, Angels Stadium, Ownership

In the wake of Arte Moreno’s decision to abandon plans to sell the Angels, the owner has been somewhat uncharacteristically willing to discuss team matters with the media.  Moreno has already spoken with the New York Post’s Jon Heyman in February and Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci over the last month, and today the Halos owner…

Mar 18 · MLB Trade Rumors Angels Shohei Ohtani Albert Pujols Anthony Rendon Mike Trout

Shohei Ohtani To Pitch Game 1 For Team Japan

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani will open the 2023 World Baseball Classic and start for Team Japan on Thursday in Tokyo against Team China. The two-way Japanese star had his best year on the mound in 2022, going 15-9 with a career-best 2.33 ERA (2.40 FIP), 1.01 WHIP and career-high 33.2 percent strikeout rate in 166 innings over 28 starts for the Halos. The 28-year-old can simply do it all on the diamond, and he'll enter what could be his last season with the Angels as RotoBaller's top-ranked fantasy starting pitcher.

Mar 8 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani Hits Two Homers In Team Japan Exhibition

Los Angeles Angels star designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani got the pre-World Baseball Classic festivities off to a strong start in Monday's exhibition game between Team Japan and the Hanshin Tigers. After striking out in his first at-bat, Ohtani proceeded to hit a pair of three-run home runs in his next two at-bats, including one from his knee. The two-way phenom has been one of MLB's brightest stars and carries just as much hype in international play. It will be exciting to see him play in the World Baseball Classic before returning to the Angels for the regular season.

Mar 7 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Dodgers The Early Favorites For Shohei Ohtani?

Some folks around major-league baseball see the Los Angeles Dodgers as the very early favorite to sign Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani if he reaches free agency after the 2023 season. The Dodgers are perennial winners in a geographically desirable area for Ohtani, and they also cut up to $40 million out of their payroll. The Dodgers won't be the only team going after the 28-year-old Japanese superstar, and he's sure to break records with his next contract on the open market if he isn't traded this summer. If not for Aaron Judge breaking the American League home run record in a single season last year, Ohtani would have likely won the AL MVP. He can do it all both on the mound and at the plate.

Mar 4 · Source via Angels Dodgers Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani Will Make Spring Training Start Feb. 28

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will reportedly make a Spring Training start on Tuesday, February 28, per a tweet from MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger on Wednesday. According to Bollinger's tweet, Ohtani "was originally slated to start March 1." Also per Bollinger's tweet, the veteran will also serve as the designated hitter in Sunday and Monday's contests. The 28-year-old made 28 starts last season for the Angels, logging a 2.33 ERA and a 2.40 FIP in 166 innings while adding 219 strikeouts and surrendering 44 walks. At the plate, he hit.273 with a .356 on-base percentage, 34 home runs, and 11 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances.

Feb 22 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Angels, Shohei Ohtani Contract Talks Occurring "One Day At A Time"

While the Los Angeles Angels and designated hitter/starting pitcher star Shohei Ohtani are open to potential contract extension talks, Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo said that they are taking things "one day at a time". Balelo said, "Shohei's earned the right to play through the year, explore free agency, and we will see where that shakes out." This is not all that surprising, as the 28-year-old is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season and would be one of the biggest free agents in some time, given his stellar performance on both sides of the field. Ohtani will continue to be one of fantasy baseball's top players regardless of where he plays.

Feb 21 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani To Start On Opening Day

The Los Angeles Angels announced on Thursday that starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani will get the Opening Day nod on March 30 on the road against the Oakland Athletics. It's a no-brainer and shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. The 28-year-old should also get the Angels' home opener on April 7 in a much tougher matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. Ohtani is expected to pitch more on five days of rest in 2023 after he made 16 of his 28 starts in 2022 on six days of rest. It will allow him to make more starts, but it could also affect his effectiveness on the mound. The two-way Japanese superstar and 2021 American League MVP is an absolute must-start every time he takes the mound as a fantasy ace.

Feb 16 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani Not Discussing Future With Angels

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani said he hasn't had any "deep" conversations with the team about his future and isn't currently focused on his future right now with spring training beginning. Ohtani is in the final year of his deal with the Angels, but he's focused on pitching for Team Japan in this year's World Baseball Classic and ramping up for the 2023 campaign. It was announced on Wednesday that he'll make his only Cactus League start in spring training on March 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers. As a starting pitcher, the 28-year-old is a fantasy ace after posting a 2.33 ERA with 219 strikeouts in 166 innings pitched in 2022. As a designated hitter, he slashed .273/.356/.519 with an .875 OPS, 34 home runs, 95 RBI, 90 runs and 11 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances.

Feb 16 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Angels Owner Wants To Keep Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno said that he wants to keep two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who will be eligible for free agency after the 2023 season. It's one of the sport's biggest upcoming storylines and should result in a record-breaking contract by likely $100 million or more. "I'd like to keep Ohtani," Moreno said. "He's a one of a kind, He's a great person. He's obviously one of the most popular baseball players in the world, and he's an international star." But with winning being Ohtani's main goal, the Japanese sensation may prefer to go elsewhere, via a trade or free agency. However, one rival estimated the Angels have a "five percent chance" to sign Ohtani long term. The Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets are all expected to be involved. Regardless of where Ohtani is playing in 2024 and beyond, he'll remain a high-end fantasy asset as both a starting pitcher and hitter.

Feb 8 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

MLB Experts Leave Out Angels For Shohei Ohtani Bid

The writers at FOX Sports projected five landing spots for Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani when he becomes a free agent after the 2023 season. The Angels were not one of the five teams. The teams consisted of the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. The optimal choice for the Angels is obviously to lure Ohtani back, but it seems that other teams will bid just as aggressively in the offseason. The Angels are all in on Ohtani, but with owner Arte Moreno at the helm, the odds may not be in their favor. The owner of the Mets, Steve Cohen, will have no issues splurging on a perennial talent. The other aforementioned teams will pursue Ohtani with similar aggression, and the 28-year-old may become the first baseball player to bank upwards of $500 million.

Feb 5 · Source via Angels Shohei Ohtani

Mets Expected To Make Bid On Shohei Ohtani In 2023

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Monday that the New York Mets are expected to pursue Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in 2023 should he enter free agency. The 28-year-old phenom would be in high demand given his elite hitting and pitching talent. Ohtani slashed .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, 95 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances in 2022 while also going 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 33.2% strikeout rate in 28 starts. While the Mets and owner Steve Cohen have been one of baseball's spendiest teams of late, Cohen said of potentially going after Ohtani, "Hard to think about next year. I'm focused on this season." Ohtani will remain a top fantasy asset wherever he goes, but a move to the Mets would be a clear upgrade over his current team.

Jan 31 · Source via Angels Mets Shohei Ohtani

Padres Could Be "All In" On Shohei Ohtani In 2023 Offseason

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Monday that the San Diego Padres are planning to be "all in" on starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani if he becomes a free agent in the 2023 offseason. The 28-year-old phenom has one year left on his contract with the Los Angeles Angels, so he could potentially be traded this season or sign a contract extension with the Angels. If he does become a free agent, there will likely be high competition to sign him given his elite hitting and pitching talent. Ohtani slashed .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, 95 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances in 2022 while also going 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 33.2% strikeout rate in 28 starts. The Padres would be even more formidable if they were to sign him.

Jan 17 · Source via Angels Padres Shohei Ohtani

KBO's Kiwoom Heroes To Post Lee Jung-hoo After 2023 Season

The Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization announced that they will post outfielder and reigning league MVP Lee Jung-hoo after the upcoming season, per Yoo Jee-ho of the Yonhap News Agency. “After some internal discussions, we agreed to respect the player’s intent to play in Major League Baseball,” the team said in a statement.…

Jan 2 · MLB Trade Rumors Shohei Ohtani Kodai Senga Seiya Suzuki Masataka Yoshida

Historic stats obtained free of charge from and are copyrighted by Retrosheet. ATC projections by Ariel Cohen. Steamer projections by Steamer Projections Blog. THE BAT projections by Derek Carty. Zeile Consensus projections by FantasyPros.

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