Shohei Ohtani faces defensive shift for first time
MLB teams haven’t found much success trying to get Shohei Ohtani out at the plate, so the Kansas City Royals decided to try something new on Thursday.
The Royals employed a defensive shift on Ohtani for the Japanese slugger’s at-bat in the ninth inning. They moved shortstop Alcides Escobar to the right of second base and shifted third baseman Mike Moustakas towards shortstop.
Royals try a shift on Shohei Ohtani pic.twitter.com/O1TNdvLr02
— Larry Brown Sports (@larrybrownsport) April 13, 2018
Ohtani hit a grounder to Moustakas and was thrown out, so it’s the possible the ball could have found a hole had they been in usual positions. Earlier in the game, Ohtani drove in three on a bases-clearing triple. He also walked in the game.
Ohtani is up to 11 RBIs in just seven games as a hitter. His OPS is 1.183, which is pretty ridiculous considering he’s also been the team’s best pitcher.
