He was in awe of the numbers Ohtani posted in what was arguably the greatest all-around season in baseball history. "I know how he's wired, how he's built, and it's different," Angels general manager Perry Minasian said of the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Ohtani. Ohtani drew three intentional walks in his first three seasons combined — he drew 20 in 2021, including 14 in August and September. The Astros, for instance, walked Ohtani seven times — twice intentionally — in nine plate appearances in two games Sept. 22-23. What about the pressure on Ohtani to repeat his 2021 performance, to prove it was no fluke?

Source: Los Angeles Times April 01, 2022 15:51 UTC