Baseball is hard.

It’s why so many athletes choose other sports. They are easier. Hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in any sport.

Playing at the major league level is difficult.

Shohei Ohtani is finding that out on an international scale. Every spring at-bat, every spring pitch, is scrutinized and dissected and reported back to a baseball-starved Japan.

After conquering Japanese baseball as a hitter and a pitcher, he was going to come here and conquer American baseball as well.

He might still do that. And might very well have a great career as a pitcher or a hitter. Maybe even both.

But right now, reality is setting in.

Baseball is hard.

So far, the reviews haven’t been good. Ohtani’s ERA is 27.00. And his batting average, after going 0-for-4 in yesterday’s win over the Rangers, is .083.

Jon Daniels coveted Ohtani. He set up all his international bonus pool money anticipating signing him.

It looks like, for the time being, the Rangers dodged a bullet. Ohtani might have been his second Prince Fielder.

Again, Ohtani could very well have a fine career here in the States. But the idea that he would step off the boat and be an instant star seemed far-fetched.

It appears he has a long way to go, and it won’t be easy.

Baseball is hard.