60 is the magic number. For the first time in baseball’s extensive history, the regular season will be a sprint, and not a marathon. This will place extra importance on each game and force teams to play their best cards from jump street. One team in particular has its own joker, that should give them the upper hand for the upcoming shortened season. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim feature Mike Trout, the undisputed best baseball player on Earth. But, that is not the Joker I speak of. Shohei Ohtani was built in a lab for a 60-game Major League Baseball season. The shortened season will allow the Japanese native to showcase his versatile Babe Ruthesque skills at a higher efficiency. This development could possibly push the team deep into the playoffs and place “Sho Time” in prime MVP position.
Why does 60 games work so well for Ohtani?
The Angels organization will have their hands full in trying to manage their two-way star’s workload during this condensed season. 60 games in 66 days will not be easy for any player. Enter recently appointed manager, Joe Maddon. There is no better skipper suited to properly rotate Ohtani and keep him rested. He will be tasked with maximizing Sho Time’s value, while keeping the player healthy. Historically, Maddon is known for getting the best out of his role players and resting his stars with the depth that is created. This situation is no different. Both player and manager will flourish. The goal should be to get Ohtani around 8 starts for the season along with 3-4 games at DH per week. The new universal DH will enhance Maddon’s ability to get the Japanese superstar “rest” while still getting his bat into the lineup. This could vary based on scheduling, and how the Angels feel Ohtani is recovering.
60-game Projection using steamerprojections.com
178 At-Bats
.281 / .353 / .525 / 9 HRs, 25 RBIs
7 Starts
3-2 3.65 ERA, 51 Ks, and 15 BBs
No other player will be able to impact the game and provide value in so many different ways in such a short period. The above projection is based on averages and is a bit conservative. Two things need to happen for Ohtani to catapult himself into an MVP conversation; and both are realistic. He has to start hot, and Maddon needs to figure out a way to get him on the mound 8 times. Not only does Ohtani have this unique opportunity in front of him, he will also enjoy protection from Mike Trout and/or Anthony Rendon. If the two-way star happens to hit behind those two, he will have a bountiful of RBI opportunities. It is a win-win situation. The coronavirus pandemic has turned the Angels into an even more dangerous team than previously thought. They may be able to mask their lack of arms through simply playing less games. Maximizing the value of their perceived ace will go a long way in helping the overall staff. If Shohei Ohtani can stay healthy, he has the opportunity to take advantage of the circumstances of a global pandemic and take home an MVP trophy.