The Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani was selected to play in MLB All-Star Game as a pitcher and position player, a first in the All-Star Game’s long history, with 121 total votes. Angels’ manager Joe Maddon later announced that Ohtani would both hit and pitch in the All-Star Game.
Ohtani is currently 3-1 as a pitcher with an ERA of 3.60. In his 12 starts, he has 83 strikeouts over 60 innings. As a hitter, Ohtani’s batting average is .278, and he is leading the league with 31 HRs and 67 RBIs.
In a statement issued by the Angels Ohtani, he said “It’s my first time so I just want to enjoy everything. There’s also the Home Run Derby, so I’m looking forward to taking it all in and enjoy everything.”
The details of when Ohtani will pitch, whether starting the game or coming in when the game is in progress, are still to be worked out by American League team manager Kevin Cash. Starting on the mound at the All-Star game would allow Ohtani to serve as a designated hitter during the game, which he has done 9 times with the Angels so far this season.
Ohtani will join the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole, the Rangers’ Kyle Gibson, Red Sox’s Nathan Eovaldi, and White Sox’s Carlos Rodon and Lance Lynn as starting pitchers selected to the 2021 All-Star Game.
The 2021 MLB All-Star Game will take place on July 13 at the Colorado Rockies’ Coors Field.