The powerful swing of Shohei Ohtani has gone quiet, and U.S. media is starting to stir.
On April 10 (April 11 in Japan), Ohtani started as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter in the Dodgers’ home game against the Braves. He went 0-for-4 with a swinging strikeout, a lineout to right, a flyout to center, and a groundout to first. The team lost 2-7. As the leadoff batter, Ohtani naturally gets the most at-bats, and in the first inning, opposing pitchers have no escape—they must challenge him. His presence as a top slugger remains a threat.
However, the home runs have recently vanished. His last long ball was a sixth-inning solo shot on April 26 (April 27 in Japan) against the Cubs. Since then, he has gone 10 games and 46 at-bats without a home run. Furthermore, his fifth homer of the season came back on April 12 (April 13 in Japan) against the Rangers, meaning he has managed just one home run in his last 106 plate appearances—an uncharacteristic slump for Ohtani.
U.S. site *Albat* ran a sensational headline: “Has Shohei Ohtani Lost His Brilliance?” and added, “Consistency separates great players from fleeting stars, but even the gods of the diamond show moments of weakness.”
The site was critical of the current state: “The power that once intimidated every pitcher now seems subdued. That majestic, home-run-producing presence has lost its previous impact.” However, they noted that Ohtani had reached base in five consecutive games before April 9 (April 10 in Japan), so “he still maintains his offensive influence.”
Of course, what fans expect are those game-changing towering home runs. Following Ohtani’s slump, the Dodgers have gone 4-5 in April, hovering near the bottom. Still, the site concluded positively: “In the baseball world, ups and downs are inevitable. Players experience fluctuations, and true legends are born during tough times. Ohtani has already proven he is an extraordinary player. Even if his power temporarily fades, his impact on the game remains significant.”
When will Ohtani launch that blast that shakes off this skeptical, stagnant mood? U.S. media remains watchful.