Here’s Why Pedro Martinez Thinks Shohei Ohtani Exclusively Should Pitch

The 2018 Major League Baseball season is young, but it sure hasn’t lacked in excitement.

And Los Angeles Angels rookie sensation Shohei Ohtani is at the center of it.

Just a few games into his MLB tenure, the two-way Japanese star has lived up to the hype that made him one of the most highly sought-after free agents this past offseason. He has shut down opposing hitters in his first two starts, including Sunday’s one-hit, 12-strikeout performance. But he also has been crushing the ball at the plate, already blasting three homers.

Of course, that kind of success really isn’t sustainable, and as such, Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez has a suggestion for the 23-year-old.

Just stick to pitching.

Martinez gave his thoughts on Twitter as to why Ohtani should focus on toeing the rubber.

I think Ohtani could stay consistent in the Big Leagues if he was just pitching; but to be able to keep up the hitting at that level, the power and the average it’s challenging. The workload to be an everyday hitter it’s too much

— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) April 9, 2018

Tough to argue that.

Martinez’s advice certainly is valuable, but then again he never possessed the skills at the dish that Ohtani does.

And while Ohtani may one day have to elect to settle into a single role for one reason or another, he sure has been incredibly exciting so far this season.