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News, Blog and GuidesPitcher and Hitter, Shohei Ohtani, known as shottime, is tied to the Los Angeles Angels until 2023 when he will become a free agent in the MLB open market.
Cassidy ArmbrusterUpdate: Oct 4th, 2021 23:14 EDT
Steph ChambersAFP
Shohei Ohtani is a standout pitcher in the MLB playing for the Los Angeles Angels. He is one of the most well-rounded players in the MLB, having earned himself a spot as a pitcher and hitter. In fact, he is the first major league player to be both a hitter and pitcher in almost 100 years, and is also reportedly a star outfielder.
Who is Shohei Ohtani? Where is he from?
The 27-year-old baseball player is from a rural town called Oshu in Iwate, Japan. Both of his parents were athletes. His mother was a badminton player, and his father was a baseball player. After high school, Shohei joined Japan’s professional baseball league.
When was Shohei Ohtani drafted?
Although Shohei decided to begin his professional career in Japan, his sights were set on playing in the American Major League. In 2012, Shohei was drafted as the Number 1 overall pick in the NBP (Nippon Professional Baseball) draft. Not until Shoei turned 23 did he make moves to join the MLB in the United States.
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A post shared by Shohei Ohtani | 大谷翔平 (@shoheiohtani)
Although all 30 major league baseball teams were interested in Shohei, he nailed it down to 7 teams, and eventually to 1. In 2018, he signed with the Los Angeles Angels as he reportedly felt a close connection with the team and thought it was where he could develop himself as a player in the MLB and thrive.
When will Shoei Ohtani be a free agent?
Ohtani is one of the most desirable players in the league and he’s soon to be a free agent. Upon a player’s sixth year in the Major League, or when a player is released from a team, they become a free agent. Ohtani will hit his 6 year mark in the 2023 season, meaning he will be eligible to sign with any team in the MLB. Rumors are swirling that the Los Angeles Angeles will make him an offer to keep him, but no official future plans or offers have been made.
How much money does Shoei Ohtani earn a year?
Players who are 25 years or older and have played in an international league for six year are able to join the MLB open market as free agents, meaning Shohei could have waited just two years to join the MLB for a much higher salary. Instead, Ohtani chose to join the Major League, sacrificing a rookie salary for 6 years with the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani is currently earning $3 million a year, and that number will raise to $5.5 million 2022, which is under what he would have made had he waited to join the MLB after playing abroad for 6 years.
