"Otani will hit 54 again this year." But the reason? Expect the most hit Korean-Japanese legend

"Otani will hit 54 again this year." But the reason? Expect the most hit Korean-Japanese legend

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Korean Japanese legend Jang Hoon (Japanese name Isao Harimoto), who has the highest number of hits in Japanese professional baseball (3085), predicted Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers)' number of home runs this year.

Jang Hoon predicted that Ohtani's preparation to return to the pitcher could be a variable, but he will still be able to maintain the same number as last year. The fact that a new engine has been created is another reason for his positive outlook. It is the "deception" effect.

Jang Hoon made an appearance on Japan's TBS "Sunday Morning" on Tuesday to express his thoughts on the number of homers expected this year. Ohtani has 23 homers in 63 games up until the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on the day (Korea time 8). He ranks second overall in the Major League after Seattle catcher Cal Lally (26). However, Ohtani has a chance to return as a pitcher in the second half of this year.

With these variables in mind, Jang said, "Ohtani's batting performance is okay. He hit 15 home runs in May. Men work harder when they get married and have children. I think he will hit 54 or 55 this year as well."

Ohtani tied the Dodgers franchise' monthly home run record with 15 homers in May alone. Jang Hoon saw no reason for Ohtani's performance this season to fall short of that of last year. Ohtani had 54 home runs in 159 games last year.

Another variable that Jang is concerned about is injury. Unlike last year when he focused on batting, he is preparing to return to the mound as a pitcher this year, and he may actually take the mound in the second half of the year. "What I'm worried about is that as I keep throwing as a pitcher, I could get injured," Jang said.

Meanwhile, Ohtani recorded one hit and one walk from four times at bat in the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. He has a batting average of 0.294 and an OPS of 1.023. After hitting a ground ball in the first inning, Ohtani got a walk in the third inning. In the fifth inning, Kim Hye-sung got on base with a hit and stole second base, giving Ohtani a chance to hit second base with no outs. Ohtani had a good hit towards the center field, but was out by a fly ball.

In the ninth inning when the Dodgers was losing 0-1, it got on base with a hit after one out and scored an equalizer. Opponents' wild pitches led to lucky runs. The Dodgers lost the game 1-2 when it gave up a walk-off hit to Nolan Arenado with one out and a third base in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Ohtani's last home run was against the New York Mets on the 3rd, and he has not hit a home run in five games since then. While Ohtani's home run production was stopped, Lali exploded, ranking first in overall home runs in the 스포츠토토 Major League and widening the gap with the second-place group.