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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Andrew Joseph

D-backs prospect Druw Jones perfectly described what it was like to face Shohei Ohtani

The final out of the World Baseball Classic will be an at-bat that fans talk about for years. It was Shohei Ohtani against Mike Trout — two of the best players in baseball history — with so much on the line.

Ohtani won that battle with an unhittable slider to claim the WBC title for Japan. And a week later, Ohtani returned in an Angels uniform to work the back fields of the Tempe Diablo baseball complex. This was one of the few remaining opportunities for Ohtani to get some reps in before the regular season. Yet, it was awfully clear that Ohtani was already in midseason form.

All you have to do is ask Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Druw Jones.

Jones — the second overall pick in 2022 and son of former Braves star Andruw Jones — hit a single off Ohtani in an earlier at-bat that scrimmage. When he stepped to the plate for his second at-bat against Ohtani, the Angels star didn’t go easy on the 19-year-old. Ohtani struck Jones out with a slider that forced an awkward and hopeless swing.

Jones knew he was toast and immediately turned back to the dugout … almost in a singular motion. But you have to give Jones credit because he was a great sport about the strikeout. He also offered an excellent description of the experience.

Even when Jones got a hit, he was in awe of Ohtani’s stuff.

I hope he saved that baseball. I know I would.

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