LA Angels Weekly Buzz: Shohei Ohtani Speaks

The LA Angels, like the rest of the MLB (outside of Atlanta), have been quiet to begin the offseason. However, there have been plenty players linked to the Angels, along with coaching hires, and the first post-Tommy John press conference from Shohei Ohtani.

As the one-year anniversary of Shohei Ohtani committing to sign with the LA Angels approaches, the American League Rookie of the Year is rehabbing. However, amidst his recovery, he held a press conference in Japan, his first since repairing his torn UCL in September.

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“Everything was different — the baseball, the culture,” Ohtani said during the presser. “I was aware right away of a higher level of power, technique and speed.” This gives some insight into the struggles Ohtani had during Spring Training, which were so poor some recommended he start the season in the minors.

Other topics discussed included Ohtani’s desire to play in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where baseball will played for the first time in over a decade. While the competition would be during the MLB season, Ohtani admitted he would “love to take part”. Ohtani also assured reporters he believed Tommy John was the right choice for his long-term future.

In Other News

• The LA Angels hired Shawn Wooten as their new assistant hitting coach. Wooten was apart of the 2002 World Series team, and joins Jeremy Reed as the Halo’s newest hitting coaches.
• Longtime Angels’ coach Dino Ebel is expected to be hired by the Dodgers. Ebel was Mike Scioscia‘s right-hand man during his tenure, spending time as a bench coach and third base coach during his time with the Angels.