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 was expanding a little bit more than he needed to,” 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 players born in Japan. Ohtani entered Tuesday night’s game in Washington leading the major leagues in batting average (.368), hits (35), doubles (11) and total bases (63).
“Any time he swings the bat he can change the game, and now being even more disciplined in the strike zone just makes him more scary,” Roberts said.
Ohtani left the Los Angeles Angels and joined the Dodgers in December for a record $700 million, 10-year contract. The two-way star had elbow surgery last September and won’t pitch this season.
Surge in Channel crossings as one in five small boats migrants are now from Vietnam, figures show
Police build a case against Lego gang: Thieves steal $300,000 worth of high
The truth about trend of new mothers drinking their OWN breast milk
King Charles 'asked Katy Perry for selfie' for a private secretary
Paris main airport unveils new baggage handling system ahead of the 2024 Olympics
Netflix fans are left STUNNED by the streaming site's 'most UNHINGED' show yet
Prince Harry and William 'have no plans for a reunion during visits for King Charles' coronation'
Facebook and Instagram down in apparent global outages
Spain approves plan to compensate victims of Catholic Church sex abuse. Church will be asked to pay
Engineering student, 21, falls to his death from 120 foot waterfall while hiking through Big Sur