Ruth's initial rise to fame came from the fact that he was a top pitcher, who then became a top hitter. That is where this "comparison" comes from: the fact that this kid has the ability to do both at an above average MLB level. Obviously Babe Ruth was known more for his hitting, whereas this kid is a pitcher first and foremost.

The reason why Japanese hitters don't translate as well to the MLB is because of the difference in style of play. Japanese hitting mechanics are more tuned towards slap hitting. The thing about Otani is that he isn't built like your typical Japanese player; he literally looks more like Bryant or Harper. His power is most definitely real and a lot of MLB people believe that he could actually hit for MORE power in the MLB once hitting coaches work with his swing and have him hitting more out in front of the ball (ie: pulling). He's got legitimate 30+ HR upside as an MLB hitter if he were to hit regularly. Again, this comes down to how much MLB teams are willing to let a kid who throws high 90's with elite secondary pitches actually hit. His agent is already telling teams that he will only consider offers from those who will let him do both. It is an extremely interesting scenario because cases like this pretty much never actually reach the MLB: not only does he actually have a case for demanding to do both, but he's got the leverage as well due to the fact that he's going to be the most highly sought after free agent whenever he actually comes over.

You pick good pitcher or good batter, and then go with the one that's better. And if you choose pitcher and he goes to the NL, you get an extra few at bats every few days.

This..just needed someone smarter than me to say it

Chadisawa

U wot m8? U must live in Atlanta or near D.C. Where the Asian pop is big because I live in the south and almost never see AMWF couples. The south is white washed as fuk compared to New York and above srs

Babe yunRuth plays calm and cool

Still not impressive.

Kosuke Fukudome was hyped up as well. I remember watching his debut for the Cubs, he hit a HR, one off the wall, and a double... and then the MLB did what they do to any other hitter, the pitchers adjusted and he was mediocre from that point forward.

Ichiro is a legend and he just keeps on playing. 42 years old now, I really wonder what his numbers might have been like if he had his entire career in the US. He fell off pretty hard after hitting 35/36 but he seems to have stabilized. He's not getting a ton of at bats, but he still hit .291 last year lmao.

Kosuke fukudome is a joke compared to this guy. And he came in his thirties I think.


Ill listen to the scouts not some random insecure miscers who hates Japanese guys and posts convos from tinder.

At least pretend to hide the insecurities. Jeez..

Chasuke chadimoto

.354 OPS 2016. OP is has gone full retard comparing the next guy to a legend