Shohei Ohtani facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 17
Designated hitter / Pitcher
Born: (1994-07-05) 5 July 1994 (age 31) Mizusawa, Iwate, Japan
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Professional debut
NPB: March 29, 2013, for the Hokkaidō Nippon-Ham Fighters
MLB: March 29, 2018, for the Los Angeles Angels
NPB statistics (through 2017 season)
Win–loss record	42–15
Earned run average	2.52
Strikeouts	624
Batting average	.284
Hits	297
Home runs	48
Runs batted in	166
MLB statistics (through July 13, 2025)
Win–loss record	38–19
Earned run average	2.97
Strikeouts	618
Batting average	.281
Hits	980
Home runs	257
Runs batted in	627
Teams
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2013–2017) Los Angeles Angels (2018–2023) Los Angeles Dodgers (2024–present)
Career highlights and awards
NPB 5× All-Star (2013–2017) Japan Series champion (2016) Pacific League MVP (2016) All-Star Game MVP (2016 Game 2) 3× Pacific League Best Nine (2015–2016²) Pacific League Battery Award (2015) Pacific League ERA leader (2015) MLB 5× All-Star (2021–2025) World Series champion (2024) 3× MVP (2021, 2023, 2024) 4× All-MLB First Team (2021–2024) 2× All-MLB Second Team (2021, 2022) AL Rookie of the Year (2018) 3× Silver Slugger Award (2021, 2023, 2024) 2× Hank Aaron Award (2023, 2024) 2× Home run leader (2023, 2024) NL RBI leader (2024) Team Japan World Baseball Classic MVP (2023) 2× All-World Baseball Classic Team (2023²) WBSC Premier12 All-World Team (2015) WBSC Player of the Year (2015) 3× Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize (2016, 2018, 2023)
Medals Men's baseball Representing  Japan World Baseball Classic Gold 2023 Miami Team WBSC Premier12 Bronze 2015 Tokyo Team
Signature

Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani's name in kanji
Japanese name
Kanji	大谷 翔平
Hiragana	おおたに しょうへい
Transcriptions Romanization Ōtani Shōhei

Shohei Ohtani (Japanese: 大谷 翔平, Hepburn: Ōtani Shōhei, pronounced [oːtaɲi ɕoːheː]; born July 5, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He is a designated hitter and pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB). People call him "Shotime" because of his amazing skills.

Before joining the Dodgers, he played for the Los Angeles Angels. He also played in Japan for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Shohei is special because he is a two-way player. This means he is excellent at both hitting and pitching. His best seasons are considered some of the greatest in baseball history. Some even compare him to the legendary Babe Ruth.

Ohtani was the first player picked by the Fighters in the 2012 NPB draft. He played for them from 2013 to 2017. He helped them win the 2016 Japan Series. After the 2017 season, he moved to MLB and joined the Angels. He quickly won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2018.

After some injury struggles in 2019 and 2020, Ohtani had an incredible year in 2021. He hit 46 home runs and struck out 156 batters. He won his first Most Valuable Player Award (MVP). In 2022, he became the first player in modern baseball to qualify for both hitting and pitching leaderboards. This means he played enough games as both a hitter and a pitcher to be ranked among the best.

In 2023, Ohtani won his second AL MVP award. He led the American League with 44 home runs. He also won 10 games as a pitcher. He was the first player to win multiple MVP awards by a unanimous vote. He was also the first Japanese-born player to lead a league in home runs. After the 2023 season, Ohtani signed a huge contract with the Dodgers. It was the largest contract in professional sports history at that time.

In 2024, Ohtani could not pitch because he was recovering from an elbow injury. He played only as a designated hitter for the Dodgers. He made history by becoming the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in one season. He was again named the National League MVP by a unanimous vote. He also won the 2024 World Series in his first time playing in the MLB postseason.

Ohtani also plays for the Japanese national team. In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, he won the MVP award. Japan won the tournament by beating the United States. The final game was one of the most-watched baseball games ever. Ohtani struck out his Angels teammate, Mike Trout, to win the game for Japan.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Shohei Ohtani was born in Mizusawa, Japan, on July 5, 1994. His mother, Kayoko, was a national-level badminton player. His father, Toru, played amateur baseball.

Shohei is the youngest of three children. His older brother, Ryuta, also plays amateur baseball. In Japan, people called Ohtani a "baseball boy." This meant he loved and lived for baseball. His father coached him, and he showed great talent from a young age. He started playing baseball in elementary school. By seventh grade, he was already a star player.

High School Baseball Journey

As a teenager, Ohtani could have gone to any top high school baseball team in big cities. But he chose to stay in his home area. He went to Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture. This was the same school as pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, whom he looked up to.

His high school coach, Hiroshi Sasaki, taught him humility. Sasaki even made Ohtani clean toilets. In 2012, when Ohtani was 18, he threw a 99 mph (160 km/h) fastball. This was a Japanese high school baseball record at the time. He threw this pitch in the Summer Koshien tournament.

Starting His Professional Career

After high school, Ohtani wanted to go straight to Major League Baseball (MLB). Many MLB teams were interested in him. But the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan drafted him anyway. They knew he might not play for them.

After talking with the Fighters, Ohtani decided to sign with them. He agreed to play in Japan for a few years first. The Fighters promised to let him play as both a pitcher and a hitter. The Los Angeles Dodgers, his top MLB choice, were not ready to let him do both. He was given jersey number 11, which was worn by Yu Darvish before him.

Playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2013–2017)

Rookie Season in 2013

Ohtani batting in 2013 for the Fighters

Ohtani made his professional debut at age 18 on March 29, 2013. He played as a right fielder for the Fighters. He was chosen for the Pacific League All-Star team. As a pitcher, he finished his rookie season with a 3–0 record. He was used as both an outfielder and a pitcher. He was the first rookie from high school in a long time to play both roles.

He missed some games due to an ankle sprain and a cheekbone injury. For the season, he had a 3–0 record with a 4.23 ERA. He also hit .238 as a batter.

Becoming an All-Star in 2014

Description: The Tomodachi Charity Baseball Camp held March 21 at the Tokyo Dome had Japanese and American youth in attendance for a chance to meet retired Yankees professional baseball players, Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter. Camp Zama’s children and youths participated in a baseball clinic, game and a home run derby during the event. (U.S. Army photos by Noriko Kudo)
Title: Shohei Ohtani (16735312258) (cropped)
Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagj/16735312258/
Author: U.S. Army photos by Noriko Kudo
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No In 2014, Ohtani continued to play as both a pitcher and an outfielder. As a hitter, he batted .274 with 10 home runs. As a pitcher, he had an 11–4 record with a 2.61 ERA. He struck out 179 batters, which was third in Japan's league.

On September 7, he hit a home run and became the first Japanese player to have 10 home runs and 10 wins in the same season. In July 2014, during the All-Star Game, he threw a 101 mph (162 km/h) fastball. This set a new record for the fastest pitch by a Japanese pitcher.

Leading the League in 2015

In 2015, Ohtani's hitting was not as strong, but his pitching was excellent. He was chosen to start the 2015 All-Star Game. He finished the season with a 15–5 record and a 2.24 ERA. He led the Pacific League in ERA and tied for the most wins. He also had 196 strikeouts. He was named the best pitcher in the Pacific League.

He also played very well for the Japanese national team in the 2015 Premier 12 tournament. He helped Japan win a bronze medal. He was named the All-Star pitcher for the event.

Japan Series Champion and MVP in 2016

In 2016, Ohtani had an amazing year. He hit 22 home runs and batted .322. He also had a career-low ERA of 1.86 as a pitcher. He had a 10–4 record and struck out 174 batters. He won the Best Nine award as both a designated hitter and a pitcher. He was the first player to ever do this.

He led his team, Nippon Ham, to win the 2016 Japan Series. He was named the Pacific League MVP. He received almost all the first-place votes.

Final Season in Japan in 2017

In 2017, Ohtani played in 65 games. He hit .332 with eight home runs. As a pitcher, he had a 3–2 record with a 3.20 ERA. In September, he announced he wanted to play in Major League Baseball in 2018. He had surgery on his right ankle in October. This injury had kept him from playing in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Because he was under 25, Ohtani's signing bonus was limited. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels for $2.315 million. The Angels also paid a $20 million fee to the Fighters.

Joining the Los Angeles Angels (2018–2023)

Rookie of the Year in 2018

Ohtani on the mound in 2018

On December 9, 2017, Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels. Before the season, the Angels said he would play as both a hitter and a pitcher. He made his hitting debut on March 29, 2018. He got his first MLB hit in his first at-bat. On April 1, he made his pitching debut and got his first MLB win. On April 3, he hit his first MLB home run.

On June 8, he was placed on the injured list due to an elbow injury. He returned as a hitter on July 2. Ohtani finished his first MLB season batting .285 with 22 home runs. As a pitcher, he had a 4–2 record with a 3.31 ERA. He became the second player in MLB history, after Babe Ruth, to have 10 pitching appearances and 20 home runs in a season.

On November 12, he was named the American League Rookie of the Year.

Injuries in 2019 and 2020

Ohtani batting in 2019

On May 7, 2019, Ohtani played his first game after elbow surgery. He played as a designated hitter. On June 13, he became the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle in MLB history. This means he hit a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. His season ended early in September due to a knee injury. He finished the season batting .286 with 18 home runs.

The 2020 MLB season started late because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohtani returned to pitching in July 2020. But he soon had arm discomfort and stopped pitching for the rest of the season. He finished the season batting .190 with seven home runs. He felt "frustrated" and "useless" because of his injuries.

Unanimous AL MVP in 2021

After his struggles, Ohtani worked hard to improve in the offseason. He changed his diet and trained differently. The Angels also allowed him to play without limits. This was a big change from his earlier seasons.

Ohtani with the Angels in 2021

On June 23, 2021, Ohtani made history. He hit for himself as a pitcher and the second batter in the lineup. This was the first time an American League team did not use a designated hitter while a National League team did. On July 7, he hit his 32nd home run, breaking the record for most home runs by a Japanese-born player in an MLB season.

Ohtani was chosen as an All-Star as both a hitter and a pitcher. He also took part in the Home Run Derby. On July 26, he became the first pitcher in league history to have 100+ strikeouts and 35+ home runs before the end of July.

He finished July as the first player in MLB history with at least 37 home runs and 15 stolen bases. He also won his second straight American League Player of the Month award. On August 18, he hit his 40th home run. On August 28, he stole his 20th base. He became the first Japanese-born player and first Angel to hit 40 home runs and steal 20 bases in the same season.

For the year, Ohtani had 23 starts as a pitcher. He had a 9–2 record with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts. As a hitter, he batted .257 with 46 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. He led the league in wins above replacement (WAR).

Ohtani was unanimously voted the American League Most Valuable Player. This means every voter chose him. He was also named to both the first and second All-MLB Teams. He won the Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. He also won the Silver Slugger Award for being the best offensive designated hitter.

His 2021 season was so special that he received the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award. He also earned two Guinness World Records titles. The Sporting News ranked his 2021 season as the greatest season in sports history.

AL MVP Finalist and Two-Way Star in 2022

Shohei Ohtani in July 2022

In 2022, MLB introduced the "Ohtani rule". This rule allows a pitcher to stay in the game as a designated hitter after they stop pitching. Ohtani was the Opening Day starting pitcher and leadoff hitter.

On May 9, he hit two home runs, including his first career grand slam. On May 14, he hit his 100th career MLB home run. He became the third Japanese-born player to reach 100 homers. He also joined Babe Ruth as the only players with at least 100 home runs and 250 strikeouts as a pitcher.

From June 9 to July 13, Ohtani had an amazing six-game pitching streak. He went 6–0 with a 0.45 ERA and 58 strikeouts. On June 21, he set a career-high with eight RBIs in a game. The next day, he struck out 10 batters. He was the first player in AL or NL history to do this.

On July 6, he made history again. He became the first player since 1920 to record 10 strikeouts as a pitcher, two RBIs as a batter, and a stolen base all in one game. For the second year, fans voted him as an All-Star at designated hitter and he was also selected as a starting pitcher.

On August 9, Ohtani joined Babe Ruth in an exclusive club. He became the only other player in AL and NL history to win at least 10 games as a pitcher and hit at least 10 home runs in the same season. His 25th home run of the season also made him second on the all-time MLB home run list for Japanese-born players.

Ohtani finished his 2022 season with a 15–9 record, a 2.33 ERA, and 219 strikeouts. As a hitter, he batted .273 with 34 home runs and 95 RBIs. He was once again named the Angels Player and Pitcher of the Year. He was also runner-up for the American League MVP award.

Second Unanimous AL MVP in 2023

Ohtani with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023

After being named the MVP of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Ohtani started his second straight Opening Day for the Angels. On May 10, he passed Babe Ruth on the all-time strikeout list. He also set the record for most pitching strikeouts by a player with 100 home runs.

Ohtani had an incredible June in 2023. He hit 15 home runs and had a .394 batting average. He led the major leagues in many hitting categories. He also pitched well, with a 3.26 ERA and 37 strikeouts. His performance in June was considered one of the best months in MLB history.

He was again named an All-Star as both a pitcher and a designated hitter. On July 27, Ohtani pitched his first complete-game shutout in MLB. He struck out eight batters and allowed only one hit. Later that day, he hit two home runs in the second game of a doubleheader.

On August 23, Ohtani hit his 44th home run. But he had to leave his pitching start early due to an elbow injury. It was later announced that he would not pitch for the rest of 2023 or in 2024. He finished his 2023 pitching season with a 10–5 record and a 3.14 ERA. He also had elbow surgery in September.

As a hitter, he batted .304 with 44 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. He was the first Japanese-born player to lead a U.S. major league in home runs. He also led the league in wins above replacement (WAR) for the second time.

For the second time in his career, Ohtani was unanimously voted the American League Most Valuable Player. He was the first player in MLB history to win MVP by unanimous vote twice. He also won his third straight Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award and his second Silver Slugger Award. He was named the Angels Player of the Year again.

Joining the Los Angeles Dodgers (2024–present)

On December 11, 2023, Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was the largest contract in professional sports history at the time.

World Series Champion and 50–50 Club in 2024

Ohtani on his way to 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in April 2024.

Because of his elbow surgery, Ohtani did not pitch in the 2024 season. He debuted with the Dodgers as a designated hitter on March 20. On April 3, he hit his first home run as a Dodger. On April 21, he hit his 176th career home run, passing Hideki Matsui for the most by a Japanese player in MLB history. He hit his 200th home run on July 13.

In the All-Star Game, he hit a three-run home run. This made him the first All-Star player with a win on the mound and a home run at the plate.

On August 3, Ohtani joined the 30–30 club (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases). He did this in his 108th game, making him the third-fastest player to achieve it. On August 23, he hit his first career walk-off home run, a grand slam. This made him the fastest player to join the 40–40 club (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases). He did it in his 126th game, beating the old record by 21 games.

On September 19, Ohtani had an incredible game. He had six hits, including three home runs, and 10 RBIs. He also stole two bases. He became the first and only player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. He also broke Dodgers records for RBIs in a game and home runs in a season. Many called it one of the greatest single-game performances ever.

On September 27, Ohtani became the first player in 23 years to get 400 total bases in a season. The next day, he broke Ichiro's record for most stolen bases in a season by a Japanese-born player with 57. Ohtani finished the season with a .310 batting average, a league-leading 54 home runs and 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases.

Shohei Ohtani at the White House in 2025 with the 2024 World Series championship Dodgers team.

Ohtani made his postseason debut on October 5. He hit a game-tying three-run home run in his first playoff game. In the National League Championship Series, he played very well. The Dodgers won the series, sending Ohtani to his first World Series. In Game 2 of the World Series, he hurt his left shoulder. But he still played in the next game. The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, giving Ohtani his first World Series championship. After the season, it was found he had a torn labrum in his shoulder and had surgery.

After the 2024 season, Ohtani won the National League Most Valuable Player award unanimously. This was his third career unanimous MVP award. He became the first player in MLB history to win three MVP awards unanimously. He also became the second player, after Frank Robinson, to win MVP awards in both the American and National leagues.

2025 Season

Ohtani started his second year with the Dodgers on March 18 in Tokyo. He played in Japan as a Major Leaguer for the first time. On May 30, he tied the Dodgers record for home runs in a month with 15. In that game, Ohtani and Aaron Judge became the first reigning MVPs to each hit a home run in the first inning of the same game. Ohtani was named the NL Player of the Month for May 2025. On June 15, he hit his 250th career home run.

Ohtani made his first pitching appearance as a Dodger on June 16. This was his first time pitching since August 2023. On June 26, he was announced as a starting designated hitter for the NL in the All-Star Game. He became the first designated hitter to start in five straight All-Star Games.

International Baseball Career

2012 U-18 Baseball World Cup

Ohtani played for Japan's national under-18 team in the 2012 U-18 Baseball World Cup. His team finished in sixth place.

2015 WBSC Premier12

In the first WBSC Premier12 tournament, Ohtani won a bronze medal with the Japanese national team. He was the best pitcher for Japan. He made two pitching appearances against South Korea. He was named to the Premier12 All-World Team and was named the 2015 WBSC Baseball Player of the Year.

2023 World Baseball Classic

Ohtani played for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He was named the Pool B MVP for his hitting and pitching. He earned the save in the championship game. He pitched the final inning of Japan's win over the U.S.. He struck out his then-teammate Mike Trout to win the championship for Japan. Ohtani won the tournament's MVP award. He batted .435 and had a 1.86 ERA as a pitcher.

After helping Japan win its third WBC title, Ohtani became the only player to be named to the All-WBC team at two different positions: designated hitter and pitcher.

Awards and Achievements

Honors

MLB

MLB Statistical Achievements

Player Profile

Pitching Style

Ohtani delivers a pitch for the Angels in 2018

Ohtani is a tall, strong right-handed pitcher. He throws a four-seam fastball that averages 97 miles per hour (156 km/h) and can reach 102.5 mph (165 km/h). He also throws a forkball/split-finger fastball that dives late, a curveball, and a good slider.

Some baseball scouts compare him to Justin Verlander. This is because Ohtani can throw harder in important moments and later in games. Most pitchers lose speed as the game goes on. But Ohtani, like Verlander, can save energy and throw with maximum effort when it matters most.

Batting and Fielding Skills

Ohtani batting in 2022

Ohtani bats left-handed. He is a designated hitter and a powerful hitter. He is known for hitting many home runs. Ohtani is also a great baserunner. He is very fast and uses a feet-first sliding technique. He has been a league leader in stolen bases and infield hits.

Scouts have timed Ohtani running from home plate to first base in as little as 3.8 seconds. In 2021, his sprint speed was among the fastest players in MLB. He also had the fastest average time running from home to first base.

Off the Field

Personal Life

Shinzo Abe awarding Shohei Ohtani the Prime Minister Trophy at the 2018 Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize Award Ceremony

Shohei Ohtani is known by his nickname "Shotime."

He is one of Japan's most famous athletes. The Japanese media has paid a lot of attention to him his whole adult life. The Fighters team helped protect him from too much media attention. Ohtani often stayed at the team dormitory and the gym. He focused mostly on baseball.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel with Shohei Ohtani holding a visa for Ohtani's dog, Dekopin.

Ohtani has a dog named Dekopin, also known as Decoy. His dog even received an honorary visa from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Ohtani named a company he started "Decopin" after his dog.

Ohtani is married to Mamiko Tanaka, who used to be a professional basketball player. He announced his marriage in February 2024 but kept his wife's identity private at first. The next month, he shared a photo of himself with Tanaka. On December 29, 2024, Ohtani announced on Instagram that they were expecting their first child. On April 17, 2025, Ohtani returned to Los Angeles for the baby's arrival. Two days later, on April 19, he announced the birth of their daughter on Instagram.

Endorsements and Media Coverage

Ohtani has been represented by agent Nez Balelo since 2017. In 2018, Forbes magazine listed him as one of the top young people in Entertainment & Sports in Asia. In 2021, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people.

In 2023, Ohtani's earnings from endorsements were estimated to be $35–40 million. By 2025, his estimated endorsements had grown to $100 million for the year. He has deals with many companies in the U.S. and Japan. These include New Balance, Fanatics, Hugo Boss, Kosé, Porsche Japan, Japan Airlines, and Seiko.

In 2022, Ohtani became a brand ambassador for several companies. In 2023, he added new deals with New Balance and a Japanese cosmetics company. Ohtani was the first Asian player to be on the cover of the video game MLB The Show in 2022. In 2025, Ohtani's image was added to the game Fortnite, making him the first MLB player in the game.

Ohtani had partnerships with other companies in the past, like Asics and Oakley.

Interpreter Incident

Ohtani with Ippei Mizuhara (2019)

Ohtani can speak some English and Spanish, but he usually talks to the media through an interpreter. Ippei Mizuhara was Ohtani's personal interpreter for many years. Mizuhara was also a close friend and helped Ohtani with his training.

In March 2024, it was found that money was missing from Ohtani's bank account. Mizuhara said the money was for his gambling debts. Ohtani's lawyers said that Shohei was a victim of a large theft. The Dodgers team then ended their contract with Mizuhara. Another interpreter, Will Ireton, took over. Ohtani stated publicly that he had never bet on sports and did not know about the debt until March 19.

After an investigation, it was determined that Mizuhara had taken money from Ohtani's account. Ohtani was officially cleared of any wrongdoing.

See also

In Spanish: Shohei Ohtani para niños