The Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Advocates Against Being “Super Aggressive”

Addressing that, Dave Roberts, known for his measured approach, vocalized his feedback. He said, “Shohei is obviously a very aggressive hitter, but he can do a better job of getting into a count.”  He highlighted that Ohtani’s recent tendency to swing at the first pitch with runners on was an important issue.

Shohei Ohtani swung at the first pitch in all three of his at bats with runners in scoring position tonight.

He's now 1-for-19 in such situations. This is what #Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had to say on Ohtani's early swings: pic.twitter.com/791BTe8CnY

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) April 17, 2024

Roberts further shared, “Right now, he’s been super aggressive, more than he’s ever been with runners in scoring position. So we’ve got to temper that back, make these guys continue to make pitches. We’ll address that.”

However, Ohtani carries a different reputation due to his overall track record. He boasts an image as a clutch hitter. And there is evidence in his career average and a staggering 45 home runs with runners in scoring position. This poses an important question – What’s causing the current slump?

What Might Change in Ohtani’s Batting Strategy? 

Perhaps a change in Ohtani’s batting strategy? Or the is the pressure of clutch situations getting to him? Whatever the case may be, he is currently seen differently. That is, opting for an all-or-nothing swing at the first pitch. Despite the phenom’s slight slump, on Tuesday night the Dodgers bagged a 6-2 victory over the  Nationals.

It’s key to bear in mind that that even the best hitters experience slumps. While, this could simply be a temporary blip in there is no doubt that the 29-year-old is a stellar performer. However, if the aggressive approach continues to persist, it could require a more fundamental adjustment to his batting strategy. All eyes are on the Unicorn as he navigates these challenging times.