The World Baseball Classic is returning in the spring of 2023 after it was put on hold in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this event, players from all over the world team up with their respective countries and do battle with some of the best players from around the world.
This morning, Team Japan got a big boost.
Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar of the Los Angeles Angels, made a big announcement this morning on his Instagram.
The reigning American League MVP winner announced that he plans to suit up for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic next spring.
Shohei Ohtani officially announces on Instagram that he will be playing for team Japan in the World Baseball Classic!! pic.twitter.com/tG71okBnpD
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) November 17, 2022
Ohtani To Represent Japan In WBC
The World Baseball Classic represents an exciting opportunity for professional baseball players from around the world to come together and represent their countries.
For Ohtani, this will mark the first time he has played in front of a crowd in Japan in over five years.
The 28-year-old will have a chance to show off his two-way abilities to fans in Japan once again.
In 28 starts during the regular season, the right-hander posted a 15-9 record and a 2.33 ERA over 166 innings pitched.
At the plate, Ohtani didn’t disappoint, hitting .273 with 34 home runs, 95 RBI, 30 doubles, 11 stolen bases, and 304 total bases.
Ohtani won the American League MVP Award last season after hitting 46 home runs during the regular season.
He is in the running once again along with Aaron Judge and Yordan Alvarez.
Soon, the entire country of Japan will experience something they are quite familiar with when they see Ohtani back in the Classic.
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