Shohei Ohtanireappeared on the MLB mounds three weeks ago, has three appearances (two at home and one away) and has accumulated four complete innings. Despite such limited numbers, the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher has managed to set a record for maximum pitching velocity as well as average velocity.
The Japanese baseball player has shown that there is still strength in his arm and only needs to polish his technique and performance to become a reliable starter again.
Before his return, the pitcher who had attracted attention was Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had been the character on the mound who attracted attention for the speed of his fastballs and for the efficiency of his strikeouts.
It is worth noting that he currently has more than 100 innings worked in the 14 appearances he has made this season. However, his numbers have been replaced by those of Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani sets records in less than four innings
In his last outing against the Kansas City Royals, Shohei Ohtani showed more confidence by striking out two batters in the same number of innings. One of these pitches reached a speed of 102.0 mph, which is equivalent to the fastest pitch in MLB this season. Even with the average of his pitches, the Japanese averages a speed of 98.6 mph, which has been set so far as the best record in the current Major League Baseball campaign.
Meanwhile, Paul Skenes has reached the month of July with a top speed of 100.0 mph, while his average is 98.1 mph. However, to give credit to the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, it should be noted that his highest speed pitch was 101.9 mph, which is 0.1 mph below the current Japanese ball. That mark was made in his rookie year (2024) and so far he has not been able to match it.
Los Angeles Dodgers with the best record in the National League
A couple of weeks away from the All-Star Game, the Los Angeles Dodgers are shaping up to be the team with the best record in the National League. They are currently 51-35, just one game behind the Detroit Tigers, who boast the best record in MLB this season at 52-34.
For the Los Angeles team, pitching has not been their strong point this season. Clayton Kershaw is not the great starter he was 10 years ago, Roky Sasaki is injured, Dustin May has been very inconsistent and Yoshimao Yamamoto is the only stable pitcher so far, where the Dodgers have managed to overcome difficult games based on the power of their bats rather than pitching effectiveness.
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