Shohei Otani: I shouldn't be compared to Babe Ruth

Shohei Otani knows he's a generational talent.

The Japanese pitcher-slugger hybrid has amassed a growing global following since the 2013 season, when the 22-year-old made his Nippon Professional Baseball debut with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. That audience paid even more attention last season, when Otani slashed .322/.416/.588 and cranked 22 home runs while simultaneously crafting a 1.86 ERA over 140 innings.

Those numbers have led to comparisons with Babe Ruth, baseball's most iconic two-way star of all time. Otani, though, isn't comfortable with the comparisons just yet.

"(Babe Ruth) is like a mythical character to me," Otani told 60 Minutes in an interview that will air Sunday. "Because it’s such a long time ago and he was God to baseball. I shouldn't be compared to him."

While Otani might not feel he's on The Great Bambino's level, his impressive dual performances in Japan will continue feeding into fan perception that he is. When Otani does make his long-awaited move to MLB - something he may have considered soon before the new CBA ruined his plans - those comparisons could be validated further, or put to rest.

Though the Fighters have permitted Otani to negotiate with MLB clubs next offseason, the Japanese superstar could stand to forfeit hundreds of millions in salary if he makes the move before the age of 25, thanks to the new CBA.

The money isn't an issue for him, however.

"Personally, I don't care how much I get paid or how much less I get paid because of this," Otani said.