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Shohei Ohtani had a great 2021 season. As a hitter, he slashed .257/.372/.592 with 46 home runs, 100 RBI and 26 stolen bases. As a pitcher, he tossed 130.1 innings and posted a 3.18 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. It’s his first season to throw at least 100 innings in a single season in the MLB. By far in his professional career, he has 4 seasons to throw at least 100 innings in a single season.

In Ohtani’s rookie season in NPB, he tossed 61.2 innings, posting a 4.23 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Additionally, Ohtani threw 46 strikeouts. However, he also gave up 33 walks. At age 18, Ohtani had some control issues in his first season with the Nippon-Ham Fighters. Ohtani made 11 starts in 2013 and in 2014, Ohtani made 24 starts. During the regular season, he tossed 155.1 innings and owned a 2.61 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He allowed 125 hits and gave up 57 walks. Meanwhile, he struck out 179 batters. Ohtani earned 11 wins in 2014 and took 4 losses. At age 19, he demonstrated that he’s capable of being an elite pitcher in Japan. In 2015, Ohtani had become one of the most dominant pitchers in NPB. He made 22 starts and threw a career-high 160.2 innings. He owned a 2.24 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. Moreover, he threw 196 strikeouts and gave up only 46 walks. Furthermore, he tossed 5 complete games and 3 games were shutouts. In addition, he was outstanding in the WBSC Premier 12. He tossed 2 games for the Japanese national team. Both games were against the South Korea National team and Ohtani didn’t allow a run in these two games. He struck out 21 batters and gave up only 3 hits over 13 innings. In 2016, Ohtani tossed 140 innings, posting an outstanding 1.86 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. As a batter, he slashed .322/.416/.588 with 22 home runs and 67 RBI. 22 HRs and 67 RBI are both his career-high in the NPB. It’s a big year for Ohtani because he won the Pacific League MVP and the Nippon-Ham Fighters won the Nippon Series. In 2017, due to injuries, Ohtani wasn’t outstanding on the mound and he tossed only 25.1 innings with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. In December, he and the Angels agreed to a deal. In his first season with the Angels, Ohtani tossed 51.2 innings with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Opponents only hit .203 against him. However, he underwent Tommy John surgery in October and didn’t pitch in 2019. In 2020, he only made 2 starts and threw 1.2 innings. He was shut down early last year. In 2021, Ohtani comes back strong. He made 23 starts and opponents only hit .207 against him. There is little doubt that Ohtani was an elite pitcher when he was in the NPB. This year, Ohtani has proved that he’s one of the best hitters in the majors. In addition, he already made 23 starts, just one short of his career high while he was playing for the Fighters. If Ohtani stays healthy next season, how many starts will he make? Additionally, he led the Angels in innings pitched this year and he’s the only pitcher in the Angels to throw at least 100 innings in 2021. Will the Angels rely more on Ohtani next season? Will he throw 150 innings or even more in 2022?