Warriors' Brandin Podziemski Reflects on Potential MLB Career as 'White Shohei'

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski, who was a talented high school baseball player, believes he could have been a successful two-way MLB player like Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani if he had pursued baseball instead of basketball. Podziemski showcased strong baseball skills, batting .469 with 10 RBIs and pitching with a 4.32 ERA while striking out 40 batters in 22.2 innings during his high school career. Despite his confidence, experts note that matching Ohtani's elite two-way success at the MLB level would be extremely difficult. Podziemski remains passionate about baseball, often attending games and even throwing ceremonial first pitches at MLB events. He acknowledges that while Ohtani's unprecedented ability sets him apart, he believes he could have contributed as a versatile player who could pitch and hit. Ultimately, Podziemski feels he made the right choice by focusing on basketball, where he has become an integral part of the Warriors' rotation and is on track for a lucrative contract.