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Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
I remember when Spanky and Dinger called me dumb for saying hitter Ohtani will be replacement level in a 20-team league. I hope they enjoy their 4-8 PA a week.

 

I did? I think I said wait and see, other evaluators think he'll do well...

 

Shohei Ohtani | Rank: 1 (Preseason: 1)

Team: AZL Angels (ROK) ETA: 2018

Position: RHP/OF Age: 23 DOB: 07/05/1994

Bats: L Throws: R Height: 6' 4" Weight: 203 lb.

Signed: Dec. 9, 2017 - LAA

Other Lists: Top 30 Los Angeles Angels Prospects (#1), Top 10 RHP Prospects (#1), Top 10 OF Prospects (#4)Watch

Pitching grades: Fastball: 80 | Slider: 65 | Curveball: 50 | Splitter: 65 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 70

 

Hitting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 70 | Run: 65 | Arm: 80 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60

 

Long considered the best player in the world not affiliated with a Major League organization, Ohtani sparked interest from virtually every club when he announced his intention to come to the United States for the 2018 season. He made the decision despite changes in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that limited his bonus; under the old CBA, he likely would have commanded a contract worth more than $200 million. Known as the Babe Ruth of Japan, Ohtani is a two-way star determined to both hit and pitch in the big leagues. Though he was limited in 2017 by a right ankle injury that required surgery in October, he was Japan's Pacific League MVP when fully healthy the year before. In 2016, he went 10-4 with a 1.86 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 140 innings while batting .322/.416/.588 with 22 homers in 104 games. He took many by surprise when he signed with the Angels for $2,315,000 in December.

 

The scouting reports on Ohtani as a pitcher almost seem too good to be true. He threw the fastest recorded pitch in Japanese history (102.5 mph in 2016), sits in the upper 90s with late finish on his heater and maintains premium velocity into the late innings. Both his diving splitter, which reaches the low 90s, and his hard slider, which climbs into the high 80s, can be plus-plus pitches at their best. He also employs a curveball and a changeup that are at least average. Though he has an athletic frame and repeatable delivery, his walk rate (3.3 per nine innings) was ordinary in Japan. There was some concern about an elbow issue reported after he signed, and he did receive a plasma injection in October, though the Angels were not overly worried.

 

While the consensus among scouts is that Ohtani has more upside as a pitcher, he also has the tools to be a star as a hitter. He has top-of-the-scale raw power and launches tape-measure shots with ease from the left side of the plate. He struck out in 27 percent of his plate appearances in Japan, so he doesn't project as a .300 hitter, but he could bat .270 with 30-plus homers per year. He's also a well-above-average runner, though his speed has yet to translate into stolen bases. He has a cannon arm and should be at least an average defender in right field. He can DH with the Angels, which will allow him to get more at-bats and conserve energy for pitching.

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Abomination Buffalo Bisons

Abomination

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
I still don't understand why Ohtani came over now. Hes going to be used a pinch hitter and left so much money on the table to pitch here. He could have comfortably continued doing both in Japan and came over for 200+ million. I will never understand his decision its mind blowing. Hes a better person than I if he truly doesn't care about money because hes going to have to be insanely elite to ever sniff that kind of money again.

 

There was some talk that he'd make far more coming over now due to various sponsorships in both countries than what he'd make in salary regardless.

Jonn MVP

Jonn

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
There was some talk that he'd make far more coming over now due to various sponsorships in both countries than what he'd make in salary regardless.

 

Yea I will buy into that. Definitely more to this story.

nmrch Draft Eligible

nmrch

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
There was some talk that he'd make far more coming over now due to various sponsorships in both countries than what he'd make in salary regardless.

 

There's no way the numbers add up like that. Its hard for us to admit becuase its so alien to us but Ohtani genuinely didn't seem to care all that much about money.

Krylian MVP

Krylian

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

Am I the only person that thinks Halladay's coach is a bit if a moron?

 

“My high school coach is on board with me pitching for Canada, as long as it won’t affect our school team. I’m really excited about the chance.”

 

So basically, his high school team is more important than one of his players having the opportunity to play for a National Team? It just kinda rubbed me the wrong way.

jays4life19 MVP

jays4life19

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Am I the only person that thinks Halladay's coach is a bit if a moron?

 

“My high school coach is on board with me pitching for Canada, as long as it won’t affect our school team. I’m really excited about the chance.”

 

So basically, his high school team is more important than one of his players having the opportunity to play for a National Team? It just kinda rubbed me the wrong way.

 

High school sports are a lot bigger of a deal in the USA than here. Seems reasonable to me.

Krylian MVP

Krylian

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
High school sports are a lot bigger of a deal in the USA than here. Seems reasonable to me.

 

Yes. But you know how patriotic Americans are. If it was the US National Team I doubt he's would've phrased it the same way.

Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Am I the only person that thinks Halladay's coach is a bit if a moron?

 

“My high school coach is on board with me pitching for Canada, as long as it won’t affect our school team. I’m really excited about the chance.”

 

So basically, his high school team is more important than one of his players having the opportunity to play for a National Team? It just kinda rubbed me the wrong way.

 

You calling him if a morin is mire troubling?:P

Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Am I the only person that thinks Halladay's coach is a bit if a moron?

 

“My high school coach is on board with me pitching for Canada, as long as it won’t affect our school team. I’m really excited about the chance.”

 

So basically, his high school team is more important than one of his players having the opportunity to play for a National Team? It just kinda rubbed me the wrong way.

 

Seriously, he was thinking team first and asked his coach, no big deal.

TheHurl Toronto Blue Jays

TheHurl

Site Manager
Posted
Posted
Yes. But you know how patriotic Americans are. If it was the US National Team I doubt he's would've phrased it the same way.

 

It's not like they are playing other countries. Nor has he earned his spot. It's much more of a tribute... so I think if it meant him missing a High School game it should be his coaches decision.

Jonn MVP

Jonn

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Yankees get Adam Lind on a minor league contract. f*** off hes better than Morales.
Brownie19 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Brownie19

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Yankees get Adam Lind on a minor league contract. f*** off hes better than Morales.

 

It's crazy to think a lefty bat coming off a .303/.362/.513 season with a wRC+ of 122 can't get a major league deal. This is a new age of baseball - that's for sure.

Bobthe4th Toronto Blue Jays

Bobthe4th

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

Jesus Christ.

 

He struck out 8 of 12 batters too.

saskjayfan Dunedin Blue Jays

saskjayfan

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Lindy signs a minor league deal. Dude had a .875 OPS last year and has posted an .OPS+ of 123 or better 4 of the last 5 years and he can't get a major league deal.
Jimcanuck Buffalo Bisons

Jimcanuck

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
It's not really that crazy. They are probably demanding to much so it's their fault. Arreita was offered a fair contract from the cubs. It's their fault.

 

Only other time an offseason has been like this is mid 1980s collusion years.

Abomination Buffalo Bisons

Abomination

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
It seems like most of the top end guys have turned down pretty big offers, and teams moved on to alternate plans. It would be a lot more disturbing if the offers were never there to begin with.
Boxcar All-Star

Boxcar

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

Jesus Christ.

 

Meh, pretty good I guess but not worth jerking off to.

Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
It's not really that crazy. They are probably demanding to much so it's their fault. Arreita was offered a fair contract from the cubs. It's their fault.

 

You're wrong, Jim's right.

BTS GOAT

BTS

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted
Apparently the Royals offered Neil Walker a MiLB deal. That’s completely absurd.
Abomination Buffalo Bisons

Abomination

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Apparently the Royals offered Neil Walker a MiLB deal. That’s completely absurd.

 

Neil Walker would look pretty nice manning 2nd for us this year. Get as much eaten as possible for Morales, Devon could DH and play 2nd (possibly OF) versus lefties.

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