Shohei Ohtani
Two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Dodgers; first player with 50 HR and 50 SB in a season; multiple unanimous MVP winner.
Shohei Ohtani (born July 5, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball designated hitter and pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed 'Shotime', he has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Two-way player (starting pitcher & outfielder/first baseman)
- Affiliation
- Los Angeles Angels (2018–2023)
- First mlb season
- 2018
- No-hitter
- 2023
- Jersey number
- 17
- Handedness
- L-handed batter; R-handed pitcher
Lore & Background
Ohtani was the first pick of the Fighters in the 2012 NPB draft. He played for the Fighters from 2013 through 2017 as a pitcher and an outfielder and won the 2016 Japan Series with them. The Fighters posted Ohtani to MLB after the 2017 season, and he signed with the Angels, soon winning the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year Award. He won his first AL MVP in 2021, his second unanimous AL MVP in 2023, and signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers after the 2023 season. He was unanimously named the 2024 NL MVP and won the 2024 World Series. He returned to pitching in 2025 and won his second consecutive NL MVP unanimously, becoming the only player to win multiple MVP awards in each league. He was named the 2025 NLCS MVP and won back-to-back championships in the 2025 World Series.
Reader's Guide
Ohtani is a rare two-way player, contributing as both a hitter and a pitcher. He is known for his unprecedented 2021 season (46 home runs, 156 strikeouts) and his 2024 season (first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases). He has won multiple unanimous MVP awards and the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award. He represents Japan internationally and led Team Japan to the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship, striking out Mike Trout in the final.
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