2 years agoLos Angeles Angels designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani enjoyed another excellent season both at the plate and in the field, making him perhaps the best fantasy option heading into next season in leagues where he has eligibility both as a designated hitter and as a starting pitcher. The slugger hit .273 with a .356 on-base percentage, 34 home runs, and 11 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances for the Angels last season, and while his walk rate dropped a bit to 10.8%, his strikeout rate as a hitter dipped as well. Ohtani struck out 24.2% of the time, a career-low that not only helped him make more contact but also saw him post his highest batting average in a single season since the 2019 campaign as he hit .273. More contact is generally a good thing for the 28-year-old and fantasy managers alike. Ohtani finished in the 92nd percentile or better in xBA, hard-hit rate, xwOBA, barrel rate, and xSLG. On the mound, the Angels standout was similarly effective, logging a 2.33 ERA, a 2.40 FIP, and 219 strikeouts in 166 innings of work. All were career-bests for Ohtani, who continued to miss bats at a decidedly above-average rate with a 12.4% swinging strike percentage and a 33.2% strikeout rate – the latter of which was in the 94th percentile league-wide. The veteran's ability to provide elite production as both a hitter and pitcher cements him as perhaps the top fantasy option heading into the 2023 season.--Ben Rosener - RotoBaller