Rosenthal analyzes Shohei Ohtani’s slump and declining contact quality
Shohei Ohtani Enters National League Championship Series Battling Slump
Rosenthal noted on the podcast Foul Territory that Ohtani currently stands in the batter’s box looking like an entirely different person, managing just two short singles in 13 at-bats with no home runs and no RBIs.
Advanced Metrics Reveal Drop in Quality Contact
The statistical profile behind Ohtani’s slump points directly to a measurable decline in batted-ball authority compared to his previous campaign. Line Today detailed Baseball Savant metrics showing Ohtani’s Barrel percentage dropping from 23.5% last year to approximately 15.8% this season. His Hard-Hit percentage—measuring batted balls leaving the bat at 95 mph or higher—declined from nearly 59% to about 52%, while his average exit velocity slipped from 94.9 mph to roughly 93 mph.
Injuries and Missed Time Hinder Ohtani's Offense
Physical ailments compound the offensive struggles, as DAZN reported that Ohtani dealt with a left knee issue and right biceps tendinitis that forced him onto the injured list on September 11. Although he returned to the lineup on September 23 against the San Diego Padres, he accumulated only 22 plate appearances between his activation and the start of the postseason. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that the offensive drop-off stems from a combination of missed time and physical recovery, noting that Ohtani is operating well below 100 percent health.
Dodgers Shift Ohtani in Lineup and Halt Pitching Rehab
To insulate the batting order, Roberts deployed Ohtani between the second and fifth spots in the division series, briefly dropping him to fifth in Game 3 and fourth in Game 4. Despite the offensive drought, DAZN confirmed that the Dodgers officially shut down Ohtani’s pitching rehabilitation for the remainder of the year to preserve his availability solely as a designated hitter. ETtoday 운동雲 noted that Ohtani shared celebration photos on Instagram as the Dodgers advanced past Atlanta to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, setting up a rematch of last year’s postseason clash where Ohtani previously snapped out of a prolonged funk.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.
