Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh marvels at Shohei Ohtani’s hitting abilities: "I try not to watch his BP too much, it hurts my feelings"
Shohei Ohtani hits the ball so well, it makes former All-Stars blush. Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh admitted as much in an interview on MLB Network on Wednesday.
On the "Hot Stove" morning show, Walsh was discussing the potency of the Angels hitting lineup when he talked about his feelings regarding Ohtani's hitting prowess.
Jared Walsh says he doesn’t like watching Shohei hit BP because it makes him feel bad about himself 😅😅 https://t.co/a14SpW1Ryj
"I try not to watch his BP too much, it hurts my feelings," Walsh said.
The 29-year-old Walsh was one of the better hitting first baseman in MLB in 2021, when he earned an All-Star berth and hit .277 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs over 144 games.
However, at the time Walsh was playing through what was diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome. The symptoms worsened in 2022 as he struggled to hit .215 with 15 homers and 44 RBIs over 118 games before being shut down on Aug. 24. He underwent surgery a week later and spent the offseason rehabbing.
Walsh told MLB.com that he is now feeling close to 100 percent this spring:
"I feel like I keep getting stronger. I feel great right now, so no complaints. Full go. I can make throws, hit on the field, everything."
But apparently, he doesn't feel good enough to watch Shohei Ohtani take batting practice. Walsh told "Hot Stove" host Harold Reynolds:
"He's playing by different rules than most of us."
MLB.com projects Walsh as the Angels' No. 7 hitter in a lineup that features Shohei Ohtani in the three hole. It's a lineup that features a good share of proven major league talent with outfielder Mike Trout, third baseman Anthony Rendon and right fielder Hunter Renfroe.
Like Walsh, Rendon is also looking to bounce back from a 2022 campaign hampered by injury. Rendon played just 47 games before he was shut down to undergo surgery to repair a subluxation of a tendon in his right wrist.
Shohei Ohtani continues to amaze with Angels
Shohei Ohtani made his MLB debut in 2018. He quickly established himself as one of the greatest players in the league. He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award, hitting .285 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs. As a pitcher, he posted a 4-2 record with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts.
He was named the AL MVP in 2021 after recording a .273/.356/.519 slash line with 46 homers and 100 RBIs. He also pitched to the tune of a 9-2 record and a 3.52 ERA.
Last season, he was second to New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge in the AL MVP voting. He led the Angels' pitching staff with a 15-9 record, 2.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He put up great numbers at the plate, hitting .273 with 34 homers and 95 RBIs. He also posted a 9.6 WAR, which was the second-best in the league.