Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Washington.
10:40 JST, April 24, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dave Roberts thinks Shohei Ohtani can be even better with more plate discipline with runners in scoring position.
The Los Angeles Dodgers manager approached the two-time AL MVP about a week ago to discuss how Ohtani could better control the strike zone.
“I thought he extended a little more than necessary,” Roberts said Tuesday. “So I just wanted to have a conversation with him.”
Ohtani hit his 176th home run on Sunday, surpassing Hideki Matsui for the most in Major League Baseball among Japanese-born players. Entering Tuesday night’s game in Washington, Ohtani led the major leagues in batting average (.368), hits (35), doubles (11) and total bases (63).
“Every time he swings the bat he can change the game, and now that he’s even more disciplined in the strike zone, he’s only going to become more terrifying,” Roberts said.
Ohtani left the Los Angeles Angels and joined the Dodgers in December on a record $700 million, 10-year contract. The two-time star underwent elbow surgery last September and will not pitch this season.
Roberts has noticed Ohtani getting comfortable in his environment and getting used to his new teammates and coaches.
“He does a great job with everyone,” Roberts said. “The hitting coaches build a really good relationship and trust. I see him more often (now). Before you kind of see him when he gets into the batter’s box. So he is around much more often, and that is a good thing.”
