After his standout 2021 season, the expectations are sky-high for Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani heading into the 2022 campaign.
Ohtani capped off his spring training schedule on the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. He did not necessarily post a flawless performance, as he allowed three runs and two hits over 3.1 innings pitched. Overall, he finished spring training play as a pitcher with a 4.76 ERA in 5.2 total innings pitched.
The attention for Ohtani now turns towards opening day, where he will start against the Houston Astros on April 7. Last season, Ohtani had his fair share of struggles against the reigning American League champions; he notched a 6.10 ERA over 10.1 innings pitched in such appearances.
As he heads into the upcoming 2022 season, Ohtani is aiming to orchestrate a season that will top his 2021 American League MVP-winning campaign.
“I'm sure the expectations are higher this year than last time,” Ohtani said. “But I'm just trying to meet those expectations. That's what I'm shooting for.”
One notable question revolving around Ohtani heading into the season centers on whether he has already hit his peak both at the plate and on the mound. From his 46 home runs recorded to his 156 strikeouts tallied, he posted a season to remember in MLB history last year.
As Ohtani mentioned, there sure are plenty in baseball today who have set a high bar for him this season. Among them, Angels general manager Perry Minasian sees that MLB has not yet seen the very best out of the all-around talent.
“I think there’s another level there, on both sides,” Minasian told MLB Network’s ‘High Heat’ program last month. “I know that sounds crazy with what he did last year but I do. I think there’s another level on the mound. I think there’s another level at the plate and I forward to seeing what he does this season.”
The Angels sure are heading into the season with a multitude of expectations, from a possible encore campaign from Ohtani to a potential, long-awaited return to the postseason. Another formidable year from Ohtani may bode well for the Angels' odds of snapping their postseason drought.
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