The future of Shohei Ohtani

[packs]

I didn’t mean to imply he can’t reach the HOF without what are considered milestone stats. Just that if he’s going to get in he will have to produce like this for another 5 or so seasons to get in.

I know he’s incredible but he hasn’t done much yet. It’s only been six seasons and he was hurt for one even though it was short for everyone.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

I didn’t mean to imply he can’t reach the HOF without what are considered milestone stats. Just that if he’s going to get in he will have to produce like this for another 5 or so seasons to get in.

I know he’s incredible but he hasn’t done much yet. It’s only been six seasons and he was hurt for one even though it was short for everyone.

'Cause if you really want to hear our views
You haven't done nothin'

Stevie Wonder

[mrreality68]

All I gotta say is let's enjoy the show and watch him play and let history take care of himself.

Regardless of the # of wins or Homeruns if he keeps this up for approx 5 more years even if he does not have te "Big Stats" of either pitcher or hitter he will be in the HOF for the sheer dominance and skill of the Pitching and hitting combined.

[Seven]

Well his most recent comment suggest, to no ones surprise, that he hates losing which means he will most likely not be back with the Angels next year. I'm not sure how much longer he is going to continue to do both, but I think the choice is obvious, if he eventually decides to specialize in one area, and that is to keep hitting.

[JustinD]

I think some of the posts on stats are ignoring the historic actions of the hall. Negro League stats were not official prior, this did not hold back elections of those players. The same can be said for the small amount of Cuban players.

Up to now, Japanese and other international stats have been ignored. This is not the tradition of the Basketball HOF or Hockey HOF and I see some changes possible in the future to be more inclusive as a logical progression with these current moves of stat adjustments. I expect more Cuban elections and perhaps a well deserved recognition of Sadaharu Oh.

Ohtani could be that player to move the needle and open that door. I don't see the impact he had on Japanese ball being ignored in it's entirety.

Again, this is crazy early talk...anything can happen. I think he's well on his way and already the better player on a team that has Mike Trout on the roster. Although, I think we need to see where he sits in five years.

[mrreality68]

Angels will not trade with the Dodgers is the rumor and

WOW he hit homer #35 and is ahead of Judges pace

[clydepepper]

Slightly off subject, but I wanted to mention a statistical oddity (which I have not personally double-checked) posted on facebook yesterday:


The the first 674 games of their careers:

Ruth had 159 homers
Ohtani had 160 homers


Through 455.0 Innings Pitched:

Ruth was 35-18
Ohtani was 35-19


If true, it is just a real cool oddity, not an intended comparison of the two players.


.

[seanofjapan]

Originally Posted by JustinD

I think some of the posts on stats are ignoring the historic actions of the hall. Negro League stats were not official prior, this did not hold back elections of those players. The same can be said for the small amount of Cuban players.

Up to now, Japanese and other international stats have been ignored. This is not the tradition of the Basketball HOF or Hockey HOF and I see some changes possible in the future to be more inclusive as a logical progression with these current moves of stat adjustments. I expect more Cuban elections and perhaps a well deserved recognition of Sadaharu Oh.

Ohtani could be that player to move the needle and open that door. I don't see the impact he had on Japanese ball being ignored in it's entirety.

Again, this is crazy early talk...anything can happen. I think he's well on his way and already the better player on a team that has Mike Trout on the roster. Although, I think we need to see where he sits in five years.

I agree that NPB stats deserve more recognition, but with Ohtani I don’t think they would make much difference since he has actually been more dominant in MLB than he was in Japan. In five years in Japan he only hit a total of 48 home runs, fewer than he is likely to hit this year alone. His pitching was better, but he only amassed 42 wins, so it doesn’t move the needle much.

NPB stats would be way more relevant for guys like Hideki Matsui whose career numbers in both MLB and NPB are “good” but not “great” when viewed in isolation, but become very impressive when combined.

Ichiro is just weird since he basically had two HOF careers in each country, something that is unlikely to ever happen again.

[jethrod3]

Ohtani wasn't at his best tonight but surprisingly he got some run support and the bullpen did their part. Nice to see!

[jethrod3]

Originally Posted by Seven

I'm not sure how much longer he is going to continue to do both, but I think the choice is obvious, if he eventually decides to specialize in one area, and that is to keep hitting.

I'm not sure about this. I'd have to go check box scores, but his pitching W-L record has been impacted, often, by lack of run support and sub-par bullpen performances. He could well have had an additional 7-8 wins over his short career which would push his W-L percentage to an exceptional .700. You look at him and he has this boy-ish look on him all the time that says "I want to play as much as possible." If he gives up pitching, which I hope he does not, I wonder if he also becomes a field position player. He's such a great athlete that it would be hard to imagine that they wouldn't be able to find a spot for him off the mound.