THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Ohtani is great, but more two-way guys needed

Shohei Ohtani is unique.

We agree on that, yes?

But …

Why?

Oh, his talent and accomplishments are obvious, sometimes even breathtaking.

What makes Ohtani so different, though — we’re almost obliged to use the word “unicorn” — is that he is among the major leagues’ most elite players as both a hitter and pitcher.

Last season, he hit .273 with 34 homers, 95 RBI and an OPS of .875.

Meanwhile, up on the mound every five days, he started 28 games, went 15-9, struck out 219 hitters in 166 innings and turned in a miniscule ERA of 2.33.

As an offensive weapon, he was even more devastating in 2021, winning the American League MVP by (among other things) hitting 46 long balls, driving in 100 and stealing 26 bases.

No one is questioning Ohtani’s brilliance, and as a pending free agent at the end of this season, he is almost a cinch to become baseball’s first player to earn $50 million per year.

What this young man produces is almost video game stuff.

Shohei is that good, and with the universal DH now permanently locked into the MLB product, he doesn’t need to risk injury playing in the outfield — or anywhere else.

HOWEVER …

I have a question about this two-way superstar.

Why is he the ONLY one?

The only “unicorn”?

I’m not suggesting that athletes with Ohtani’s combination of skills grow on trees, exactly — but if MLB and its teams treated player development differently, we surely would see several more combo pitcher-hitters.

Think about it …

In every town, the Little League star pitches (generally overpowering all the other kids) and also plays shortstop — or another critical position on his team.

That routine continues in high school, where the young pitcher has an ERA under 1.00 and hits .625.

Right about then, however, when this phenom is 17 or 18, major league scouts descend and ultimately make a decision.

What is the kid’s future?

Can he make more impact, maybe reach The Show quicker, as a hitter with bona fide power?

Or is does he look like a young Justin Verlander, a pitcher you want to develop without the nuisance of having him fooling around in the batting cage?

It has to be one or the other, so instructors can concentrate on honing the prospect’s skills full-time.

So let me ask again …

Why?

If you’ve drafted, or landed an international signing, of a player who is a terrific pitcher and would also be a game-changing force at the plate, why can’t he do both?

FOR YEARS, the fear was that you didn’t dare put an All-Star pitcher in the field, where pulled hamstrings and groin strains wait for everyone.

Heaven knows, pitching is tough enough, with elbow and shoulder ailments always a nagging worry.

Even Ohtani needed Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow ligaments three years ago.

The huge change …

Things are completely different now that the designated hitter is here for keeps.

Two-way talents like Ohtani have to take SOME risks, like running the bases and ducking occasional fastballs up around the chin.

So what?

These blessed athletes are special, and they WANT to play.

Ichiro pitched during his high school days in Japan — in an all-star game, in fact.

When he got to the States, he begged to pitch, but nobody would let him near the mound.

There was terror that he would injure his elbow, and somehow damage that bazooka throwing arm from the outfield.

Somehow, seeing Shohei Ohtani draw crowds and win games ought to make a light bulb go off in the minds of MLB executives and development people.

When they find a mega-talent who can pitch with stuff and command that will get him to the big leagues, AND if he can hit at that same level …

Let the kid keep on doing both.

If one skill begins to overpower the other as the young player advances through your system, sit him down for a chat.

Be honest, and suggest his brightest future is hitting bombs.

Or throwing killer sliders to complement that 96 mph fastball.

Fair enough.

If you’ve got a prospect who legitimately can crash into the big leagues doing BOTH, however …

Let it happen.

There are other two-way stars out there, in this country and overseas.

Shohei Ohtani is a mega-talent, but he shouldn’t be a “unicorn” just because he’s the only player to pitch and hit.

Find some more of them.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”