It’s possible that the pressure of signing the biggest contract in sports history with the Los Angeles Dodgers could be affecting Shohei Ohtani’s performance. The expectations and scrutiny that come with such a monumental deal can be immense, and it’s not uncommon for athletes to feel the weight of such pressure.
However, it’s also important to consider other factors that could be contributing to Ohtani’s performance, such as his recovery from surgery and adjustments to a new team and environment.
Only time will tell if Ohtani can overcome these challenges and return to his previous form.Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese star, made headlines last offseason by signing a historic $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, his start to the 2024 season has been challenging.
Following surgery on his pitching elbow, Ohtani is limited to batting this season. He has faced difficulties both on and off the field, with concerns arising from his involvement in an illegal gambling case linked to his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
Despite these challenges, the Dodgers have performed well, holding a 6-2 record and leading the National League West Division as of Wednesday.
Despite his struggles at the plate, Shohei Ohtani has maintained a decent batting average of .242. However, he has yet to hit a home run this season, only managing three doubles and three RBIs in 37 plate appearances.
Despite these numbers, it seems that Ohtani has been unlucky, as his expected slugging percentage (xSLG) is a much higher .638 according to Baseball Savant. Additionally, he has been hitting the ball hard, with an average exit velocity of 94.4 mph, indicating that it is likely just a matter of time before he starts to see better results.
