The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a big splash this offseason, signing two-way star Shohei Ohtani to a one-year deal for the 2021 season. Ohtani, who is a pitcher and hitter, is one of the most exciting players in baseball and will bring a unique dynamic to the Dodgers’ roster.
Ohtani is coming off a 2020 season in which he was limited to just two games due to injury. However, he showed flashes of his potential in those two games, hitting a home run and striking out nine batters in four innings of work. This is a sign of things to come for the Dodgers, as Ohtani has the potential to be an impact player on both sides of the ball.
On the pitching side, Ohtani has a fastball that can reach triple digits, as well as a devastating splitter and slider. He also has good command of his pitches, which allows him to get ahead in the count and put hitters away. His presence in the rotation will give the Dodgers another top-of-the-rotation arm alongside Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.
At the plate, Ohtani has shown the ability to hit for power and average. In his two games in 2020, he hit a home run and had a .400 batting average. He also has good plate discipline, which will be an asset for the Dodgers’ lineup. His presence in the lineup will give the Dodgers another dangerous bat to go along with Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger.
The addition of Ohtani is a huge boost for the Dodgers, as they look to make another deep postseason run in 2021. His ability to contribute on both sides of the ball gives the Dodgers an added dimension that they didn’t have before. With Ohtani now in the fold, the Dodgers look poised to make another serious run at a World Series title.
