Vinnie Pasquantino to Challenge Shohei Ohtani in New Royals Role

The baseball world can’t stop talking about the quirky subplot heading into the World Series. There’s this unusual connection between Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino.

Whenever Ohtani pitches to Pasquantino, his velocity just explodes. Two of the fastest pitches of his career came against Pasquantino.

Now, with Pasquantino stepping in as a Player Correspondent for MLB’s Fall Classic coverage, fans are hoping for answers. Why does Ohtani seem to save his hardest fastballs just for him?

This mix of elite competition and playful banter is the kind of story that gives baseball’s biggest stage a little extra spark.

Ohtani’s Lightning-Fast History With Pasquantino

The numbers tell the story. In a June game against the Royals, Ohtani launched a 101.7 mph fastball—his fastest pitch in Major League Baseball—and it was to Pasquantino.

He only threw harder once, and that was in the World Baseball Classic, when he fired a 102 mph heater at Pasquantino again. Fans and players have definitely noticed the pattern.

Pasquantino’s Good-Natured Response

After that June game, Pasquantino joked that Ohtani “keeps doing that” and maybe he needs to have a word with him. With the 2025 World Series bringing them together again, Pasquantino gets another shot—this time, with a microphone instead of a bat.

Pasquantino Steps Into the Media Spotlight

Major League Baseball picked Vinnie Pasquantino as a Player Correspondent during the Fall Classic. It’s not every day you see an active player step into a media role, but Pasquantino’s got the charisma for it.

Coverage During Media Day and Game 1

He’ll cover Media Day and Game 1 in Toronto. He’ll produce content for MLB’s social media and show up on MLB Network.

Here’s what he’ll be doing:

• Lighthearted interviews with players, celebrities, and baseball personalities
• Behind-the-scenes takes on the Dodgers–Blue Jays matchup
• Asking player questions from fans on social media
• Making personality-driven video segments

Fan Interaction and the Ohtani Question

Pasquantino already invited fans to send in their own questions for World Series players. One question keeps popping up—why does Shohei Ohtani throw his hardest pitches at Pasquantino?

It’s funny, it’s weird, and honestly, it’s the kind of thing you hope gets answered on air. With Pasquantino’s sense of humor, there’s a good chance it’ll be memorable.

Adding Personality to the Fall Classic

This World Series brings two powerhouse teams, Dodgers and Blue Jays, but Pasquantino’s involvement adds something different. His quick wit and approachable style give MLB a new way to show off the sport’s biggest personalities.

In a time when fans want to know the people behind the players, Pasquantino’s role feels like a breath of fresh air. Maybe it’ll even set the stage for more of this at future events.

Why This Story Resonates

Sports fans love rivalries, but playful ones are even better. The Ohtani–Pasquantino dynamic mixes elite skill with a sense of humor, reminding us that baseball is still a game at heart.

For Ohtani, maybe those blazing fastballs are about measuring himself against someone he respects. For Pasquantino, it’s a running joke that’s now part of baseball’s pop culture.

Expect Big Moments On and Off the Field

The 2025 World Series kicks off in Toronto, and Ohtani’s got his sights set on leading the Dodgers to victory. Pasquantino? He’s focused too, but his role is different—he gets to represent the players, entertain the crowd, and remind everyone that baseball can be pretty fun when you let it.

Somewhere in the middle of all the interviews and the noise from the stands, fans keep wondering about one thing. Why does Ohtani throw so hard whenever Pasquantino steps up to the plate?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Royals’ Vinnie Pasquantino plans to grill Shohei Ohtani in new role for MLB