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) July 5, 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)
Batting average	.284
Hits	297
Home runs	48
Runs batted in	166
Stolen bases	13
Win–loss record	42–15
Earned run average	2.52
MLB statistics (through April 15, 2026)
Batting average	.281
Hits	1,066
Home runs	285
Runs batted in	679
Stolen bases	165
Win–loss record	41–20
Earned run average	2.91
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) NPB All-Star Game MVP (2016 Game 2) 3× Best Nine Award (2015–2016²) Best Battery Award (2015) Pacific League ERA leader (2015) MLB 5× All-Star (2021–2025) 2× World Series champion (2024, 2025) 4× MVP (2021, 2023–2025) 6× All-MLB First Team (2021–2025) AL Rookie of the Year (2018) NLCS MVP (2025) 4× Silver Slugger Award (2021, 2023−2025) 3× Hank Aaron Award (2023–2025) 2× Home run leader (2023, 2024) NL RBI leader (2024) Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award (2021) Team Japan World Baseball Classic MVP (2023) 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 (born July 5, 1994) is a famous Japanese professional baseball player. He plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB). Shohei is special because he is a "two-way player". This means he is both an amazing pitcher and a powerful designated hitter (batter). People call him "Shotime" because of his exciting play. Before the Dodgers, he played for the Los Angeles Angels and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan. Many say his best seasons are among the greatest in baseball history, like those of the legendary Babe Ruth.

Shohei was a top player from a young age. He was the first player chosen by the Fighters in the 2012 draft in Japan. He played for them from 2013 to 2017. He was a pitcher and an outfielder and helped them win the 2016 Japan Series. After 2017, he moved to MLB and joined the Angels. He quickly won the 2018 American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award.

After some tough years with injuries in 2019 and 2020, Shohei had an amazing 2021 season. He hit 46 home runs and struck out 156 batters. This earned him his first AL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP). His incredible performance as both a hitter and pitcher was so unique that he received a special award. In 2022, he became the first player in a long time to be ranked among the best in both hitting and pitching in the same season.

In 2023, Shohei won his second AL MVP award. He led the AL with 44 home runs and also had 10 wins as a pitcher. He was the first player to win two unanimous MVP awards. He was also the first Japanese player to lead a league in home runs. After the 2023 season, Shohei joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. He signed a huge 10-year contract, which was the biggest in sports history at that time.

In 2024, Shohei could not pitch because he was recovering from an elbow injury. He played only as a designated hitter for the Dodgers. He had an incredible year, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in one season. He also won the 2024 World Series with the Dodgers. For his amazing performance, he was unanimously named the 2024 National League (NL) MVP.

Shohei started pitching again in 2025. He hit 55 home runs, a new record for the Dodgers. He won his second straight NL MVP award, becoming the only player to win multiple MVP awards in both leagues. He was also named the 2025 NLCS MVP. He helped the Dodgers win back-to-back championships in the 2025 World Series. Since 2023, Shohei's jerseys have been the best-selling of any player around the world.

Shohei also plays for the Japanese national team. In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, he led Team Japan to win their third championship. He was named the tournament's MVP. The final game against the U.S. team was watched by many people. Shohei famously struck out his Angels teammate, Mike Trout, to win the game 3–2.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Shohei Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994, in Mizusawa, Japan. His mother, Kayoko, was a talented badminton player. His father, Toru, played amateur baseball and worked at a car factory.

Shohei is the youngest of three children. He has an older sister, Yuka, and an older brother, Ryuta, who also plays amateur baseball.

From a young age, Shohei was known as a "baseball boy" in Japan. This means he loved and lived for baseball. His father coached him, and Shohei showed great talent early on. He started playing baseball in elementary school. By seventh grade, he was already making a big impact in games.

High School Baseball Journey

As a teenager, Shohei chose to attend Hanamaki Higashi High School in his home area. He could have gone to bigger schools in major cities. He admired pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, who also went there. Shohei was also a fast swimmer and could have even competed in the Olympics.

His high school coach, Hiroshi Sasaki, taught players discipline. He even gave Shohei chores like cleaning toilets to teach him humility. In 2012, at 18, Shohei threw a fastball at 160 kilometers per hour (99 mph). This was a record for Japanese high school baseball at the time. He threw this pitch during the famous Summer Koshien tournament.

Professional Baseball Career

Starting in Japan: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2013–2017)

After high school, Shohei wanted to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) right away. Many MLB teams were interested in him. However, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan drafted him. They promised to let him play as both a pitcher and a hitter. This "two-way" role was very important to Shohei. The Fighters' offer convinced him to start his professional career in Japan. He wore jersey number 11, just like famous pitcher Yu Darvish once did.

Rookie Season and All-Star Recognition (2013)

Ohtani batting in 2013 for the Fighters

Shohei 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 that year. As a pitcher, he won 3 games and lost 0 in 11 starts. He was one of the first rookies to play as both a pitcher and a position player.

Making History as a Two-Way Star (2014)

In 2014, Shohei continued to play as both a pitcher and an outfielder. As a hitter, he batted .274 with 10 home runs. As a pitcher, he won 11 games and struck out 179 batters. He became the first player in Japanese baseball history to hit at least 10 home runs and win at least 10 games in the same season. This was a feat not seen since Babe Ruth in 1918.

Shohei also set a new record for the fastest pitch by a Japanese pitcher. He threw a fastball at 162 kilometers per hour (100 mph) during an All-Star Game. His jersey from that game sold for a lot of money, with proceeds going to help children affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.

Leading the League as a Pitcher (2015)

Ohtani with the Fighters in 2015

In 2015, Shohei's pitching was outstanding. He led the league with 15 wins and a 2.24 earned run average (ERA). He also had 196 strikeouts. He was named the best pitcher in the Pacific League. He also played well for the Japanese national team in the Premier12 tournament, earning a bronze medal.

Japan Series Champion and League MVP (2016)

In 2016, Shohei had an incredible year. He hit 22 home runs and batted .322. As a pitcher, he had a 10–4 record with a very low 1.86 ERA. He struck out 174 batters. He won the Best Nine award as both a designated hitter and a pitcher. He was also named the Pacific League MVP.

He led the Nippon-Ham Fighters to win the 2016 Japan Series championship. This was a huge achievement for him and his team.

Final Season in Japan (2017)

In 2017, Shohei played in fewer games due to an ankle injury. He still hit .332 with eight home runs. He also had a 3–2 record as a pitcher. After the season, he decided to move to Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. Many teams wanted him, and he eventually signed with the Los Angeles Angels.

Moving to America: Los Angeles Angels (2018–2023)

Rookie of the Year in MLB (2018)

Ohtani on the mound in 2018

Shohei made his MLB debut with the Angels in 2018. He quickly showed his two-way talent. He hit his first MLB home run on April 3. In his second pitching start, he threw seven scoreless innings and struck out 12 batters.

He finished his rookie season batting .285 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs. As a pitcher, he had a 4–2 record with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts. He became only the second player in MLB history, after Babe Ruth, to have 10 pitching appearances and 20 home runs in a season. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award.

Injury Challenges (2019–2020)

Ohtani batting in 2019

Shohei faced injuries in 2019 and 2020. In 2019, he had elbow surgery and played only as a hitter. He made history by hitting for the cycle (a single, double, triple, and home run in one game). In 2020, he had another arm injury and could not pitch much. These years were frustrating for him.

Unanimous AL MVP Season (2021)

Ohtani with the Angels in 2021

Shohei had an incredible comeback season in 2021. He trained hard and played without any limits. He hit 46 home runs, which was the most by a Japanese-born player in MLB history. He also had 26 stolen bases. As a pitcher, he won 9 games and struck out 156 batters.

He was the first player ever to be chosen as an All-Star for both hitting and pitching. He also participated in the Home Run Derby. For his amazing performance, he won the AL MVP award by a unanimous vote. This means every voter chose him. He also received a special Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award.

Two-Way Dominance Continues (2022)

Ohtani in July 2022

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

He hit his first career grand slam and his 100th MLB home run. He became only the second player, after Babe Ruth, with at least 100 home runs and 250 strikeouts as a pitcher. He had a fantastic stretch of pitching, winning six games in a row with a very low ERA. He also set a career high with eight RBIs in one game.

Shohei finished 2022 with 15 wins, a 2.33 ERA, and 219 strikeouts. As a hitter, he had 34 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. He was a finalist for the AL MVP award again.

Second Unanimous AL MVP (2023)

Ohtani with the Angels in 2023

After leading Japan to a World Baseball Classic championship, Shohei continued his amazing play in 2023. He passed Babe Ruth on the all-time strikeout list for players with 100 home runs. He had an incredible June, hitting 15 home runs and leading the league in many hitting categories.

He was again named an All-Star for both hitting and pitching. He pitched his first complete-game shutout in MLB. Unfortunately, he suffered another elbow injury in August, which ended his pitching for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024.

As a hitter, he led the American League with 44 home runs. He also batted .304 with 95 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. For the second time, he won the AL MVP award by a unanimous vote. This made him the first player in MLB history to win two unanimous MVPs. After the 2023 season, Shohei became a free agent.

Joining the Dodgers: Los Angeles Dodgers (2024–Present)

On December 11, 2023, Shohei signed a record-breaking 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 (2024)

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

Due to his elbow surgery, Shohei did not pitch in 2024. He played only as the designated hitter for the Dodgers. He hit his first home run as a Dodger on April 3. On April 21, he hit his 176th career home run, passing Hideki Matsui for the most by a Japanese player in MLB history.

On August 3, he joined the 30–30 club (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases). On August 23, he hit his first career walk-off home run (a game-winning home run in the last inning). He also became the fastest player to join the 40–40 club. On September 19, Shohei had an incredible game, with six hits, three home runs, and 10 RBIs. He also stole two bases.

In that game, 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 and home runs in a season. He finished 2024 with a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases.

Shohei made his first MLB postseason appearance in 2024. He hit a game-tying home run in his first playoff game. The Dodgers went on to win the 2024 World Series, giving Shohei his first championship ring. After the season, he won the NL MVP award unanimously. This was his third career unanimous MVP and his first in the National League.

Back-to-Back World Series and NL MVP (2025)

Ohtani with the Dodgers at the White House in 2025

Shohei started his second year with the Dodgers in March 2025. He was named the NL Player of the Month for May. On June 15, he hit his 250th career home run. On June 16, he made his first pitching appearance for the Dodgers since August 2023.

He was again named a starting designated hitter for the All-Star Game. On August 6, he recorded his 1,000th career hit. On September 16, he pitched five no-hit innings and hit his 50th home run. This made him the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 strikeouts as a pitcher in a single season. He finished 2025 with 55 home runs, setting a new Dodgers franchise record.

Shohei led the National League in runs scored, total bases, extra-base hits, and OPS. He also became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs, draw 100 walks, and steal 20 bases in one season. As a pitcher, he had a 1–1 record with a 2.87 ERA.

Ohtani at the 2025 World Series championship parade

In the 2025 postseason, Shohei hit two home runs in his first playoff game. He also made his first career postseason start as a pitcher, earning a win. In the National League Championship Series, he had an incredible game. He struck out 10 batters and hit three home runs, helping the Dodgers win the series. He was named the 2025 NLCS MVP.

The Dodgers went on to win the 2025 World Series again, giving Shohei his second championship. He hit his first World Series home run in Game 1. After the season, he won his fourth career MVP award unanimously. This made him the first player to win multiple MVPs in both leagues.

Early 2026 Season Highlights

On March 31, Shohei made his regular-season pitching debut for 2026. He pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. On April 10, he extended his on-base streak to 44 games. This surpassed Ichiro Suzuki for the longest streak by a Japanese-born player in MLB history. On April 15, he pitched again, striking out 10 batters. This ended his streak of 32 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, a record for a Japanese-born pitcher in MLB.

International Baseball Career

Representing Japan at the World Baseball Classic

Shohei has proudly represented Japan in international tournaments.

2015 WBSC Premier12

In 2015, Shohei helped Team Japan win a bronze medal in the first WBSC Premier12 tournament. He was a top pitcher for Japan, playing against their rival, South Korea. He was named to the Premier12 All-World Team and was the WBSC Baseball Player of the Year.

2023 World Baseball Classic Champion

Shohei played a huge role for Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He was named the MVP of Pool B for his excellent hitting and pitching. In the championship game against the U.S., he pitched the final inning. He famously struck out his Angels teammate, Mike Trout, to secure Japan's championship win.

Shohei won the tournament's MVP award. He batted .435 and had a 1.86 ERA as a pitcher. He was the first player to be named to the All-WBC team at two different positions: designated hitter and pitcher.

2026 World Baseball Classic

Shohei played for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic as a designated hitter. In the opening game, he hit a grand slam and had five RBIs, setting a new WBC record for RBIs in a single inning. Japan advanced to the quarterfinals, but was eliminated by Venezuela. Shohei batted .462 with three home runs and seven RBIs in the tournament. He was named to the All-WBC team as a designated hitter.

Player Profile

Pitching Style and Strengths

Ohtani pitching for the Angels in 2018

Shohei is a tall, right-handed pitcher. He throws a powerful fastball that averages 97 mph and can reach 102.5 mph (165 km/h). He also throws a forkball that drops sharply, an occasional curveball, and a strong slider. Scouts compare him to Justin Verlander because he can throw harder in important moments and later in games.

Batting and Baserunning Skills

Ohtani batting in 2022

Shohei is a left-handed batter and a powerful hitter. He has led MLB in home runs multiple times. He is also an excellent baserunner. He runs from home plate to first base very quickly, sometimes in as little as 3.8 seconds. His speed and sliding technique have helped him lead the league in stolen bases.

See also

In Spanish: Shohei Ohtani para niños