Unveiling the Pitchers Who Fell Victim to Shohei Ohtani's Power

Shohei Ohtani, the American League MVP, has left a trail of shattered records and awestruck opponents in his wake. With a batting average of .304, 44 home runs, 95 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.066, Ohtani's power is undeniable. Today, we delve into the pitchers who bore the brunt of Ohtani's unstoppable swing. Let's explore the data and uncover the hurlers who found themselves at the mercy of this baseball phenomenon.

Frankie Montas: The Top Victim of Ohtani's Power

Explore the pitcher who fell prey to Shohei Ohtani's home run prowess more than any other. Discover the impact of Ohtani's bat on Frankie Montas and how their encounters unfolded.

At the top of the list of pitchers who struggled against Shohei Ohtani stands Frankie Montas, the right-handed starter for the New York Yankees. Despite facing Ohtani only a handful of times, Montas has given up a total of four home runs to the MVP. In 2019 and 2020, he surrendered one home run each, and in 2022, he fell victim to Ohtani's power twice.

It's worth noting that Montas missed most of this season due to right shoulder surgery, which prevented him from facing Ohtani. However, his encounters with the Angels' star in previous years showcased the difficulty he had in containing Ohtani's explosive swing.

Kikuchi Yusei, Lucas Giolito, and Luis Garcia: Ohtani's Other Victims

Discover the trio of pitchers who couldn't escape Shohei Ohtani's home run onslaught. Learn about the unique connections between Ohtani and Kikuchi Yusei, Lucas Giolito, and Luis Garcia, and how they fared against the MVP.

While Frankie Montas tops the list, several other pitchers have experienced the sting of Shohei Ohtani's bat. Among them is Kikuchi Yusei, Ohtani's senior from Hanamaki Higashi High School. Yusei, now a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, has given up three home runs to his former teammate over the years.

Additionally, Ohtani's teammate through a trade this season, Lucas Giolito, has also found himself on the receiving end of Ohtani's power. The Chicago White Sox pitcher has surrendered three home runs to the MVP, highlighting the challenges of facing Ohtani from both sides of the diamond.

Luis Garcia, known for his unique pitching style in the Houston Astros, rounds out the list of pitchers who have fallen victim to Ohtani's home run prowess. Garcia's unorthodox approach couldn't stifle Ohtani's explosive swing, resulting in three home runs given up.

The Ever-Changing Landscape: Future Challenges for Ohtani

Explore the dynamic nature of facing Shohei Ohtani and the potential changes in the list of pitchers who struggle against him. Consider the first encounters' advantage and speculate on which team Ohtani might join next season to unleash more home runs.

While the current ranking of pitchers who have faced Ohtani centers around American League players, it's important to note that this lineup is subject to change. The first encounter between a pitcher and Ohtani tends to favor the pitcher, but as Ohtani continues to evolve and adapt, the tables can quickly turn.

Looking ahead, it's intriguing to speculate which team Ohtani will join next season and the impact it will have on his home run count. Will he find new victims in a different league or continue to dominate familiar opponents? Only time will tell.