Last year, Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar, took part in the Home Run Derby at Coors Field in Denver.
He was heavily favored to win but was ultimately bounced in the first round.
There is one spot still yet to be filled in this year’s T-Mobile Home Run Derby, and Ohtani has yet to decide whether or not he will take part in the Derby.
His former teammate, Albert Pujols, will be one of the contestants.
Sam Blum of The Athletic tweeted an update on Ohtani and his status, saying that it will largely depend on Ohtani’s workload prior to the All-Star Game.
Shohei Ohtani did not have an answer over whether or not he’ll participate in the home run derby. He said it was dependent mostly on what the workload will be for him in the ASG.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 14, 2022
Ohtani Yet To Decide On Derby
It would be disappointing to see Ohtani not take part in this year’s Derby.
After all, he’s the reigning American League MVP Award winner and hit 46 home runs a season ago.
He is one of, if not the best player in all of baseball and it would be amazing to see him compete again.
Of course, it has everything to do with his workload, as Blum mentioned in his tweet.
But it would still be disappointing if he didn’t do the Derby, especially since it’s in Los Angeles.
Imagine if he and Pujols, former teammates with the Angels, met in the final round.
That would be something.
It of course also depends on how they decide to seed the players with the current format.
But it would be fun to see Ohtani match up with not just Pujols, but the other great sluggers who are taking part like Kyle Schwarber, Julio Rodriguez, Ronald Acuna Jr. Jose Ramirez, Pete Alonso, and Juan Soto.
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Colleen Komora says
I’m sorry Ohtani isn’t playing in the derby but it is totally understandable.