101.7 miles of incredible secret, Ohtani's explosive fastball speed driving force solidifies another unanimous MVP

101.7 miles of incredible secret, Ohtani's explosive fastball speed driving force solidifies another unanimous MVP
LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani smiles brightly while pitching in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 29 (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News



LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, who has been in full swing since mid-June, can throw five innings as a starting pitcher, is currently expected to be around mid-August.

Ohtani took the mound for the first time since moving to the Dodgers on June 17 and threw against the San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants. He started with one inning and played three innings in the final game against San Francisco.

He threw nine innings in five games, gave up five hits and two walks, struck out 10 and had a 1.00 ERA. The ball power is praised as the best since entering the Major League. The reason is because of the variability.




He shot a maximum of 101.7 miles against Kansas City on June 29 at Kaufman Stadium. After entering the big league, he broke his previous maximum speed of 101.4 miles. The local media's analysis of the driving force is interesting.

FOX Sports reporter Tom Verducci explained why Ohtani's arrest became faster after returning from elbow and shoulder surgery under the title of 「13 Stories to Watch in the Second Half」 on the 19th (Korea Standard Time).

Ohtani has had three surgeries since entering the major leagues. He had his first Tommy John Surgery in the fall of 2018 when he was with the Los Angeles Angels, his second Tommy John Surgery in September 2023, and his left shoulder surgery in November last year.




101.7 miles of incredible secret, Ohtani's explosive fastball speed driving force solidifies another unanimous MVP
LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani sprays the ball vigorously in an away game against the San Francisco Giants on the 13th (Korea time). AP Yonhap News
'Ohtani, who returned from his second Tommy John Surgery in his life, is throwing much stronger than before. On June 29, he threw a maximum of 101.7 miles, or the fastest of his 7,823 pitches in the majors, against Kansas City. The average fastball (four-seam fastball) speed was 98.2 miles, faster than 96.8 miles in 2023, prior to surgery. This increase in speed is also due to throwing short innings. Of the five appearances, 36 pitches were the best. Ohtani uses his legs much stronger and more effectively when pitching. In a full windup, pull your left leg back, lift it up, and generate as much power and power as possible just before throwing. Also, when you take the ball back with your right hand, bend your back leg a little more and reserve more power before throwing it home plate. 'As well as fastball restraint, the sweeper's falling speed became faster, and the slider's restraint increased by about two miles.'

101.7 miles of incredible secret, Ohtani's explosive fastball speed driving force solidifies another unanimous MVP
Otani presents a bullpen pitching windup position during spring training in Arizona in February. Photo = LA Dodgers' official X account
101.7 miles of incredible secret, Ohtani's explosive fastball speed driving force solidifies another unanimous MVP
Otani always pitched in a stretch position during his time with the Los Angeles Angels. Photo = MLB.TV Capture
Ohtani's pitching form was always the same when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. In other words, even when there was no runner, he pitched in the stretch position, that is, in the set position. However, he changed his pitching form by earnestly honing his wind-up position in this year's spring training bullpen pitching. As he has had elbow and shoulder surgery in the last two years, he seems to have been trying to find a way to throw hard through the windup position to avoid reduced restraint.

In fact, the average fastball speed is a career high this year. According to Statcast, the average speed of fastballs thrown by Ohtani has accelerated from 95.6 → 97.3 → 96.8 miles to 98.2 miles this year since 2021, when he began pitching in earnest. Of course, it may be because Ohtani now throws two to three innings of power like a relief pitcher, but it can be said that he has secured speed through wind-up positions and active use of his lower body.




Ohtani's first appearance in the second half has not been decided yet, but it is expected to be a home game against the Minnesota Twins on the 22nd or 23rd. There is a high possibility of throwing about 40 pitches and about 3 innings. It is necessary to slowly raise the pitching pace in order not to disturb the batting condition while playing both pitching and hitting.

"With the second half of the race running for 74 days, Ohtani is expected to make at least nine starts," Verducci said. With that, you will be able to prepare for the postseason without any restrictions, except for the principle of taking the mound after a five- to six-day break. If so, he will solidify another unanimous MVP, he predicted.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.