Braves MVP award winner and world series champion gets brutally honest on Shohei Ohtania
Shohei Ohtani is having a historic season in his debut year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. While he hasn’t pitched this season due to an elbow injury from last year, he continues to make a significant impact. Ohtani has emerged as one of MLB’s top speedsters, and when combined with his elite power at the plate, he’s on pace to become the first player ever to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
As of now, Ohtani has hit 47 home runs and stolen 48 bases, and with 16 games left, the 30-year-old designated hitter has ample time to join the exclusive 50-50 club.
Earning praise from a true baseball legend is the ultimate compliment. In an appearance on Foul Territory TV, former Atlanta Braves star Andruw Jones, known for his own power and speed during his prime, expressed his support for Ohtani in the NL MVP race, saying, “What this kid is doing is unbelievable. It’s special… I think, yes, [he’s the MVP].”
"The thing this kid is doing is unbelievable. It's special."@andruwjones25 picks Shohei Ohtani for MVP and talks about what he saw from him as an 18-year-old in Japan. 👀 pic.twitter.com/LobVfkpP85
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 12, 2024
Braves legend Andruw Jones revealed that he had been following Shohei Ohtani’s career since his days playing in Japan. Initially, Jones believed Ohtani’s future would be as an elite starting pitcher, as he wasn’t convinced Ohtani’s hitting would develop. However, Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers has proven that he remains an elite player, even without contributing from the mound.
Jones even thinks Ohtani could have become one of the best outfielders in baseball if the workload hadn’t been so demanding.
“He’s a great outfielder. He’s impressive,” Jones said. “I watched him and thought, ‘This guy has all the tools—he’s tall, fast, but his bat seemed shaky. I figured he’d focus on pitching.’ But Ohtani made the adjustment, and we’re seeing the results.”
What Ohtani is accomplishing for the Dodgers in 2024 is remarkable. If he becomes the first player in the 50-50 club, it’s hard to imagine how he could outdo that. However, with his anticipated return to the mound next season, even more greatness lies ahead for the most unique player in MLB history.