Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim owns Shohei Ohtani

Every pitcher has that one player that they cannot get out. For Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani, that player happens to be Texas Rangers catcher Johan Heim.

Ohtani has been impressive on the mound, having allowed 12 runs in his 38.1 innings over his seven starts. That number would be lower if not for Heim – he has driven in seven of those runs himself. As it is, Heim is 5-5 with a homer and those seven RBI, proving himself to be Ohtani’s biggest nemesis at the plate.

Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim taking Shohei Ohtani to task

As it is, Heim had been a bit of a revelation even without his impressive numbers against the Angels’ ace. The switch hitting backstop has seen more action than anyone could have imagined, especially with Mitch Garver struggling before he landed on the Injured List. Heim has taken advantage of the opportunity, posting a .277/.373/.523 batting line with four homers and four doubles in 75 plate appearances heading into Wednesday’s action.

The Rangers did have some hope that Heim would be a solid piece this season. He had belted ten homers and 13 doubles in his 285 plate appearances in 2021, even if he did struggle to a 62 OPS+ on the year. Those struggles led to the acquisition of Garver instead of Heim being given the starting nod.

But there were reasons for hope. Heim had a solid hard-hit rate in 2021, but a batting average on balls in play of just .210. He had solid contract rate, and while his walk rate was below league average, there was more than enough there to imagine that he could be a useful piece in the lineup.

Heim appears to have taken that next step as his luck has improved. His three hits against Ohtani on Wednesday had exit velocities of 66 MPH, 68 MPH, and 77 MPH, but if he was going to catch a break, it would have been against the Angels’ pitcher. That is just how history dictated it to be.

Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim has been able to figure out Shohei Ohtani. The Rangers’ backstop has owned him thus far in 2022.