Outrageous stat proves how much opposing teams fear Shohei Ohtani

Only the Philadelphia Phillies (16), Miami Marlins (17), Los Angeles Dodgers (19) and Cleveland Guardians (25) have more intentional walks than Ohtani unless you count the Angels (17), who'd have only three without him. 

Ohtani has drawn six intentional walks over the last six games, including two apiece in back-to-back games against the Toronto Blue Jays. Per Stathead, Ohtani is the first player to accomplish the feat since Juan Soto with the Washington Nationals in 2020. Meanwhile, Ohtani becomes the 23rd player since 1921 to draw six or more intentional walks over a six-game period, joining the likes of Albert Pujols (5), Babe Ruth (4) and Barry Bonds, who it happened to a remarkable 64 different times. 

While Ohtani has a long way to go to catch Bonds in this particular category, his stats, on the mound and at the plate, are eerily similar to Ruth's as the two-way phenom approaches 700 career games. 

Opposing teams don't want to pitch to Ohtani and for good reason. The 29-year-old soon-to-be free agent is batting .310 while leading the league in on-base percentage (.413), slugging percentage (.685), OPS (1.098), walks (70) and triples (7). Also, Ohtani recently became the first player in the bigs to reach 40 home runs this season. 

Despite his insane year, Ohtani's future with the Angels is uncertain. But whoever ends up signing him is expected to have to pay between $500 million and $600 million. 

After being pulled off the trade market by the Angels before the deadline earlier this month, a playoff appearance with L.A. might go a long way toward Ohtani staying with the Halos long-term. However, following a three-game losing streak, the Angels' postseason hopes are dwindling by the day. They remain 7.5 games behind the Texas Rangers (63-46) for first in the American League West and are 4.0 out of the wild-card race.