N.J.’s Mike Trout explains what’s amazed him about Angels’ Shohei Ohtani

New Jersey native Mike Trout broke down what it’s like to play with fellow Angels star Shohei Ohtani before the Yankees-Los Angeles game at Yankee Stadium on Friday, May 25, 2018 (5/25/18).

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NEW YORK — It used to be big news when Mike Trout came to the city.

On Friday, it was bigger news that his Angels teammate, Shohei Ohtani, showed up.

Trout, an Jersey native, spoke to reporters for several minutes about what it’s like playing with Ohtani before Friday’s game vs. the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

What’s it been like watching him?

Obviously, coming into this spring, he had a little taste of what it’s like but obviously when the season started, it was different … but it’s been unbelievable. I know as a hitter, it’s tough to just do one thing and he’s doing well at both, so it’s pretty impressive. 

Here’s what he said. Questions were shortened for clarity.

Is this the Yankees’ lineup with Bird back?

What’s your impression of Ohtani as a person?

We see him when he comes in. He wants to work. He’s trying to get better, obviously at pitching and hitting. As a team, we’re a big family here, so we want to make him feel comfortable. It’s a different atmosphere. I haven’t been over in Japan but it’s a little different than it is here. Just trying to make him feel comfortable. 

Have you turned him into a Philly sports fan?

He’s a big fan of everybody. He likes all sports. He’s trying to learn English. Everybody’s trying to learn Japanese. So it’s fun for the clubhouse. 

Have you been amazed at how much he’s turned it around since struggling in spring training?

Pitching, I can’t really speak on it. I don’t pitch. On the offensive side, he got rid of the leg kick. When you’ve got a big leg kick and you’re not getting your foot down and your head is moving, you’re not going to get the results you want. You’re not going to have perfect timing. It’s tough. He switched to just putting his foot down and seeing a lot of pitches more and barreling more baseballs up.

Are you learning some Japanese?

It’s tough. I’m trying to catch on a little bit. … I think he knows more English than people think.

Can you bust his chops pretty good?

He laughs at everything. I don’t know if he knows what I’m saying but, he’s a good dude.

How do you think he’s handled the media pressure?

He’s been doing a great job. He knows the time and place when he can sit down and talk to everybody, but he has a mindset coming in here, just trying to work on his pitching and work on his hitting. He does a good job at it.

What’s he taught you?

He’s taught me that someone can pitch and hit in the big leagues. It’s pretty incredible.

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