The final out of the World Baseball Classic will be an at-bat that fans talk about for years. It was Shohei Ohtani against Mike Trout — two of the best players in baseball history — with so much on the line.
Ohtani won that battle with an unhittable slider to claim the WBC title for Japan. And a week later, Ohtani returned in an Angels uniform to work the back fields of the Tempe Diablo baseball complex. This was one of the few remaining opportunities for Ohtani to get some reps in before the regular season. Yet, it was awfully clear that Ohtani was already in midseason form.
All you have to do is ask Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Druw Jones.
Shohei Ohtani, Slider Movement (home plate view, with and without tail). 😳
From: https://t.co/d1aqTIRaDf pic.twitter.com/51IeL72oJT
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 27, 2023
Jones — the second overall pick in 2022 and son of former Braves star Andruw Jones — hit a single off Ohtani in an earlier at-bat that scrimmage. When he stepped to the plate for his second at-bat against Ohtani, the Angels star didn’t go easy on the 19-year-old. Ohtani struck Jones out with a slider that forced an awkward and hopeless swing.
Jones knew he was toast and immediately turned back to the dugout … almost in a singular motion. But you have to give Jones credit because he was a great sport about the strikeout. He also offered an excellent description of the experience.
its a frisbee. it hurt me stand in the box
— druw jones (@jones_druw) March 27, 2023
Even when Jones got a hit, he was in awe of Ohtani’s stuff.
he is actually disgusting… https://t.co/KfFIo6Kcks
— druw jones (@jones_druw) March 24, 2023
I hope he saved that baseball. I know I would.
