Shohei Ohtani joins team Oakley

Shohei Ohtani has signed a free-agent contract. Don’t worry, Angels fans, he’s not going anywhere. Ohtani agreed to a partnership with Oakley, a major sunglasses company.

The collection includes three different styles: Radar® EV Path®, Frogskins™ Lite and Mercenary. The Radar EV Path and Frogskins Lite both honor Ohtani’s heritage with traditional Japanese patterns and the Frogskins Lite also features “Ohtani” printed on the inside of the frame. All three styles have lenses etched with Oakley Prizm™, a revolutionary technology grounded in decades of research to see more detail, and come in a signature Ohtani microbag.

Oakley

“I am thrilled to join Team Oakley alongside other top athletes in their respective sport,” said Shohei Ohtani. “No matter what you play and at what level you play it, having the right equipment is key. Oakley products feature technological innovations that keep me performing at my best and that is evident in this signature collection. I look forward to wearing them on and off the field for years to come.”

The 25‐year‐old is entering his third year in Major League Baseball and eighth year as a professional in 2020. Ohtani attended high school in Northern Japan, and as a senior, his fastball had already reached 99 miles per hour. From 2013‐2017, Ohtani played professionally in Japan as a pitcher and outfielder, and in 2018, he made his debut in the states, playing for the Los Angeles Angels as a designated hitter. To close out his first year in the MLB, Ohtani was named the American League’s Rookie of the Year.

“Just three years after arriving in the United States, Shohei Ohtani has become one of the brightest stars in baseball,” said Ben Goss, Oakley’s Global Marketing Director. “We work closely with our athletes to create new products with the technological advancements they need to perform and we are excited to support Ohtani’s growth as both a player and Team Oakley athlete.”

As the latest member of Team Oakley, Ohtani will join a notable roster including Super Bowl LIV Champion and MVP, Patrick Mahomes II, 2017 MLB Rookie of the Year, Aaron Judge and two-time Masters champion, Bubba Watson.

Oakley develops products and technologies designed to meet the performance demands of the world’s best athletes and makes those same innovations available for athletes of all levels. For more information on Oakley’s baseball and lifestyle collection, Shohei Ohtani collection, Prizm Lens Technology and Team Oakley, please visit Oakley.com.

The Oakley Shohei Ohtani Collection will be available on Oakley.com and in select Oakley Stores in Japan and the United States starting in mid-July.

Links

• From CBS Sports: Which team is best positioned for a Cinderella run in 60-game season?
• From ESPN: MLB predictions: Who will thrive, struggle in 60-game season? Here’s what they had to say about the Angels:

Eyeing the Angels: This gives the Angels at least a chance to get “full” seasons on the mound from Shohei Ohtani — who would otherwise have been on a restrictive innings limit — and Griffin Canning, who would have missed the first half of a full season with injuries. They also have one of the oldest lineups in baseball, and the oldsters might benefit from evading the 162-game grind. — Sam Miller

• 60 games in 66 days: How MLB’s shortened 2020 schedule came together
• MLB.com ranked their 12 most anticipated debuts for the 2020 season. Can you guess where Anthony Rendon ranked?