So far, Shohei Ohtani has been one of the most important stories of the 2021 MLB season, so he will participate in one of the biggest stages of the sport.

As Otani himself confirmed, he will participate in the 2021 home run derby at Coors Field, Colorado. By participating in the game, he will become the first player to start an MLB game and participate in a derby as a pitcher.

The news was posted via Ohtani’s Instagram in the form of an epic hype video.

Ohtani is currently leading the All-Star voting for the AL DH seat, so it is not surprising to see him participating in this event, especially since Joe Maddon basically left the decision to participate to Ohtani.

“I’m not as opposed to this as others,” Madden said of the home run derby, every Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register“When it becomes endless, I just don’t like it. You know, there must be a more limited way to do this. It is exhausting. It can be exhausting. But again, it will It’s what I want to ask him, what does he think about it. He will be honest. I don’t think this is something you want to try to force him to do or not to do.”

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Otani will become the seventh angel to participate in the home run derby, joining Wally Joyner, Troy Gross, Garrett Anderson, Vladimir Guerrero, Mark Trumbo and Albert After Te Puyos. Anderson and Guerrero won the championship in 2003 and 2004 respectively, and Joyner was the co-championship in 1987.

So far this season, Otani has hit 19 home runs for the Angels. This is a good thing for the MLB ranked third player, second only to Vladimir Guerrero and Fernando Tatis, who tied for the league lead with 22 points.

It’s exciting to imagine how many home runs Otani might hit at Coors Field. Given the thin air in Denver, if all goes well, he may have a chance to hit some very long shots.

Now, the only question is who Otani will face in the game. According to Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic, Guerrero Jr. tends to participate in a home run derby if asked to do so.

Guerrero finished runner-up in the home run derby of the 2019 rookie season and lost to Pete Alonso 23-22 in the final. But during the game, Guerrero hit a record 91 home runs.

It would be a dream to see Otani and Guerrero play against each other, because they are the two young stars of the game. Therefore, it is hoped that both of them can participate after one year of interruption of COVID-related activities.

Either way, Ohtani’s entry into the field is a good start, and his performance will be worth seeing.