Shohei Ohtani Shows Noticeable Swing Progress in the International League

When Shohei Ohtani first stepped onto the International League diamond this spring, the buzz was obvious: the two‑way superstar was back, but his swing still felt a little… off. A few weeks of extra video sessions, late‑night tee work, and a lot of patience later, the Japanese phenom is finally starting to look comfortable again.

“We’ve been focusing on shortening his load and getting a more compact finish,” Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher explained on Tuesday. “It’s not about reinventing the wheel, just polishing what already works.” The subtle changes might sound technical, but the results are already measurable.

In his first ten games, Ohtani’s batting average nudged up to .286, a noticeable jump from the .212 he posted during his first week. More striking, his line‑drive rate rose from 19% to 28%, indicating that the ball is leaving his bat at a healthier angle. He’s also logged three homers and six RBIs, a tidy contribution for a player still finding his rhythm.

Fans watching the game at Nissan Stadium have noticed the difference, too. “He’s looking more relaxed now,” said longtime season ticket holder Luis Martínez. “You can see the confidence in his eyes, and the swing feels smoother, like he’s not fighting the pitch.” Those observations line up with the coaching staff’s reports that Ohtani’s strikeout percentage has dropped from 28% to just under 22%.

It isn’t just about the numbers, though. Ohtani himself admitted that the process has been “a bit frustrating at times,” but he appreciates the “little nudges” from veteran hitters who have been around the league for years. “Sometimes the simplest advice—like keeping your elbows in—makes the biggest impact,” he chuckled during a post‑game interview.

The Angels are keeping a close eye on his development, hoping the swing tweaks will translate to the big league once he’s called back up. “If he continues on this trajectory, we’ll have a potent weapon both at the plate and on the mound,” manager Phil Nevin remarked, a grin spreading across his face.

For now, Ohtani’s International League swing experiment is paying dividends, and the baseball world is watching with bated breath, eager to see how far this refined approach can take him.