The World Baseball Classic is one of the most exciting events in the world of baseball. Every four years, the top baseball players from all over the world come together to compete for their respective countries. And with the likes of Mike Trout on Team USA, there are bound to be some epic showdowns. However, one matchup that fans have been anticipating may not come to fruition – Shohei Ohtani against Mike Trout.
Shohei Ohtani, also known as the “Japanese Babe Ruth,” is a phenom in the world of baseball. He’s known for his ability to both pitch and hit at an elite level, something that hasn’t been seen since Ruth himself. Ohtani is slated to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, but fans have been dreaming of a showdown between Ohtani and Trout, two of the biggest names in baseball.
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that Ohtani will be able to pitch against Trout and Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. There are a few reasons for this.
Firstly, Ohtani’s schedule is already pretty packed. He’s currently playing for the Los Angeles Angels, and they’ll likely want to limit his workload during the off-season. Ohtani threw just 1.2 innings during the 2019 season due to a UCL injury, and the Angels will want to make sure he’s healthy for the start of the 2021 season.
Secondly, Japan tends to be very cautious with their pitchers. The last thing they’ll want is for Ohtani to suffer an injury while playing for his country. This means that he’s likely to pitch fewer innings than he would during a regular season game, which would make it difficult for him to face off against Team USA.
Lastly, there’s a chance that Japan may choose to use Ohtani as a designated hitter instead of a pitcher during the World Baseball Classic. This would allow him to focus on hitting and would increase the likelihood of him facing off against Mike Trout and Team USA.
So, while it’s certainly a tantalizing prospect to think of Ohtani pitching against Trout and Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, it’s ultimately unlikely to happen. However, there’s still plenty to look forward to in this year’s tournament, as some of the best baseball players in the world come together to compete for their respective countries. Whether Ohtani pitches or not, he’s sure to be one of the biggest stars of the tournament, and fans will be eagerly watching his every move.
