Shohei Ohtani Drops From First in Pitcher Power Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani dropped out of first place in MLB. com’s latest pitcher power rankings , and now sits fourth. The pitchers who passed Ohtani in the rankings are the Philadelphia Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez, who was fourth in the last rankings, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, who was ranked seventh previously, and the New York Yankees’ Cam Schlittler, who last placed seventh.

The reason Ohtani dropped is less about his own performance, though, and focuses more on the exceptional performances from the pitchers who passed him. “Ohtani’s fall from the top spot has little to do with his own performance on the mound,” MLB. com’s Jared Greenspan wrote .

“He carries a 0. 82 ERA into his eighth start of the season on Wednesday against the Padres. That’s the lowest mark among all pitchers to throw at least 40 innings this season.

“Opponents are hitting just . 159 against Ohtani — only Skenes has a lower batting average against — thanks in part due to a lethal fastball/sweeper combo. He’s throwing those two pitches 71.