screenshot via MLB Network
Shohei Ohtani is a Japanese baseball pitcher and outfielder who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani was the first pick of the Fighters in the 2012 draft and has officially recorded the fastest pitch by a Japanese pitcher and in NPB history at 102.5 MPH.
On December 8, 2017, Ohtani signed with the LA Angels as both a pitcher and outfield.
via ESPN:
Japanese star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Angels, his agent said on Friday. In addition to the Angels, Ohtani had met with the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
Ohtani was put up for bid last week by the Pacific League’s Nippon Ham Fighters for the maximum $20 million posting fee. The 23-year-old had until 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 22 to agree to a contract with an MLB team.
Nez Balelo, Ohtani’s agent, released a statement, saying “Shohei is humbled and flattered by all the time and effort that so many teams put into their presentations and sincerely thanks them for their professionalism. In the end, he felt a strong connection with the Angels and believes they can best help him reach his goals in Major League Baseball.”
Ohtani was the MVP of Japan’s baseball league in 2016, after hitting 22 homers with a .322 batting average and recording a 1.86 ERA in 140 innings pitched.
Shohei Ohtani Net Worth 2018: Undetermined at this time.
Ohtani signed an MLB contract with the Los Angeles Angel on December 8, 2017. The logistics of the deal have not yet been made public. He signed as both a pitcher and outfield. Earlier in 2017, it was reported that Ohtani’s contract could be for approximately $200 million.
