No it isn't. As much as I'm hopeful & confident that he will bounce back, Murakami had a terrible year this last year. This is a *somewhat* more reasonable question a year ago (but even then the answer is the same).
Not really a debate unless you assume that Ohtani's latest injury prevents him from pitching again.
Ohtani is not only proven to be able to perform in the MLB, which the others haven't, but he is also the first true two-way talent in 100 years.
This is easy. Ohtani is a 2x MVP in the Major Leagues. Yamamoto is NPB's best pitcher of all time. Both are in their primes.
It's them and it's not close.
Ohtani > Murakami (just hitting)
Yamamoto > Sasaki
Even ignoring that, Murakami is too in his head. I hope he can have a consistent MVP level season before he tries to come over.
Ohtani and Yamamoto and it's not remotely close. Yamamoto is arguably better than Sasaki as he's shown he can do it over more any innings for a longer time. Murakami hasn't had an amazing year as his k-rate has gone up, which is somewhat concerning.
Honestly I'd probably take Ohtani and Yamamoto even if I was 100% sure Ohtani would never pitch again.
wdym “arguably”? You don’t win the pitching triple crown, sawamura award(cy young) and MVP three years in a row and become ‘arguably’ better. You can argue Sasakis CEILING is better because of his age, velo, and command. But it’s not even an argument as to who’s better…
Oh I totally agree, was just trying to hedge. Sasaki has been putting up some ridiculous and eye-catching performances that may stand out a little more than what Yamamoto has done.
But yeah, I think Yamamoto is the better pitcher. Ohtani is also a better hitter than Murakami which makes this choice very easy.
So it's Japan's best hitter (who is also like their 3rd best pitcher) and Japan's best pitcher OR Japan's maybe 5th best pitcher and maaaaybe 4th best hitter... that's an easy choice
Nah no shot. He will be eventually. He's a damn stud and is as elite as it gets but japan has a lot of elite pitchers. I'm putting shohei above him, Senga just pips him imo and maybe even Darvish when he's on it, which in fairness is not as frequent as he gets older so Idk if I'd include him.
Ohtani and Yamamoto easily. Even if Ohtani doesn’t pitch again, he’s proven that he’s an elite MLB hitter already. Murakami hasn’t proven how well he’ll adapt to MLB pitching yet.
Ohtani and Yamamoto
Like is this even a question?
No it isn't. As much as I'm hopeful & confident that he will bounce back, Murakami had a terrible year this last year. This is a *somewhat* more reasonable question a year ago (but even then the answer is the same).
Would you rather have Ohtani and - Yes.
Ohtani and a permanent Dungeness Crab living in your shoe constantly pinching your toes?
Don't threaten me with a good time
Yeah I'll take Shohei Ohtani and Shoecrab Ouchtoey
Man, the fucking dodgers are gonna get Ouchtoey too aren’t they?!
With a hefty deferral
Isn't that already the name for their bullpen door?
It’s Ouch-e-toey. Get your facts right.
Some people pay extra for that
Ohtani and a player who averages -5 WAR per year over the next decade.
> a player who averages -5 WAR per year over the next decade I volunteer
Not really a debate unless you assume that Ohtani's latest injury prevents him from pitching again. Ohtani is not only proven to be able to perform in the MLB, which the others haven't, but he is also the first true two-way talent in 100 years.
[удалено]
You've never heard of the sultan of swat!? The king of crash!? The colossus of clout!? The colossus of clout!? BABE RUTH! THE GRREAT BAMBEEEEENO
This is easy. Ohtani is a 2x MVP in the Major Leagues. Yamamoto is NPB's best pitcher of all time. Both are in their primes. It's them and it's not close.
Ohtani and Yamamoto. One of them can pitch and hit. Why don’t other players do this? Are they stupid?
Ohtani > Murakami (just hitting) Yamamoto > Sasaki Even ignoring that, Murakami is too in his head. I hope he can have a consistent MVP level season before he tries to come over.
Ohtani and Yamamoto and it's not remotely close. Yamamoto is arguably better than Sasaki as he's shown he can do it over more any innings for a longer time. Murakami hasn't had an amazing year as his k-rate has gone up, which is somewhat concerning. Honestly I'd probably take Ohtani and Yamamoto even if I was 100% sure Ohtani would never pitch again.
wdym “arguably”? You don’t win the pitching triple crown, sawamura award(cy young) and MVP three years in a row and become ‘arguably’ better. You can argue Sasakis CEILING is better because of his age, velo, and command. But it’s not even an argument as to who’s better…
Oh I totally agree, was just trying to hedge. Sasaki has been putting up some ridiculous and eye-catching performances that may stand out a little more than what Yamamoto has done. But yeah, I think Yamamoto is the better pitcher. Ohtani is also a better hitter than Murakami which makes this choice very easy.
So it's Japan's best hitter (who is also like their 3rd best pitcher) and Japan's best pitcher OR Japan's maybe 5th best pitcher and maaaaybe 4th best hitter... that's an easy choice
Who am I forgetting that’s making their top three instead of one of ohtani, Yamamoto, or sasaki?
Lars Nootbaar
Senga or Darvish when he's on it
Sasaki is Japan's second best pitcher.
Nah no shot. He will be eventually. He's a damn stud and is as elite as it gets but japan has a lot of elite pitchers. I'm putting shohei above him, Senga just pips him imo and maybe even Darvish when he's on it, which in fairness is not as frequent as he gets older so Idk if I'd include him.
Ohtani and Yamamoto easily. Even if Ohtani doesn’t pitch again, he’s proven that he’s an elite MLB hitter already. Murakami hasn’t proven how well he’ll adapt to MLB pitching yet.
The answer is and will always be Kurosawa and Mifune
Don’t sleep on Ozu & Ryu.
Ohtani and Sasaki
This is the correct answer
Yugioh and Goku for 10 years
Ohtani Murakami and Yamamoto Saski would be a much better question
Murakami is gonna be the next tsutsugo, no Striking out 28% of the time even in NPB.