WATCH: College baseball players make honest admission about facing Shohei Ohtani & Aaron Judge
Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have arguably been the best players in Major League Baseball for the last few years. Their immense talent has enthralled fans across the world and in recent times, NCAA baseball players have looked up to them for inspiration.
Amid the ongoing College World Series, some collegiate stars were asked a simple question: Could you get a hit off Shohei Ohtani or strike out Aaron Judge?
While both seem impossible given their respective runs of form this season, the young guns did not hesitate in letting their feelings known. NCAA Baseball posted their replies on Instagram.
Jaime Ferrer, one of the Seminoles' top performers in Omaha this season, exuded immense confidence, believing he could get a hit off Ohtani.
"Absolutely! In 25 ats I’m getting a knock off Shohei!"
NC State Wolfpack catcher Alex Sosa also believed he could take on the Japanese two-way phenom instead of striking out Judge.
"I’m taking my odds against Ohtani. I don’t think I’m striking out Aaron Judge," said Sosa.
Tennessee Volunteers duo Zander Sechrist and Christian Moore admitted they could do the bare minimum, but it would be a rare instance.
Sechrist said, "I’ll get one strikeout, but maybe he’ll hit 49 bombs!"
Moore responded, "I’ll say in a game, I might put a ball in play."
Virginia Cavaliers LHP Jack O'Connor revealed an outrageous idea that he thought would help him strike out Judge.
"The only chance I have against striking out Judge is that if we platoon, he goes faces Shohei Ohtani. So, he throws 100 and then I throw a 65. And maybe he swings and misses three times."
Texas A&M Aggies outfielder Hayden Schott also gave a hilarious answer, admitting it could only happen if they fell sick.
"Literally, like zero chance! Maybe if he was like, sick or had mono or something. But other than that, probably not."
Meanwhile, Tar Heels' RHP Jake Knapp was confident that the law of percentages would see him ultimately achieve the feat.
"In a lot of at bats I’d say yes. Just law of percentages."
Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge again top contenders in NL MVP and AL MVP races respectively
Since signing a record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, Ohtani has justified his worth on several occasions. The reigning AL MVP is once again in the thick of the NL MVP race as he's hitting .316 with 20 home runs and 49 RBIs.
Meanwhile, Judge, the 2022 AL MVP, has been at the top of his game for the Yankees. The 6'7" outfielder has 26 home runs and 64 RBIs already this season, with his exploits since May putting him at the forefront of the AL MVP race.
The prospect of facing either of these generational talents is daunting for college baseball stars who will be a part of next season's MLB draft. However, some of their responses today showed they are ready for the challenge should it arise.