By Gavin Chen
Shohei Ohtani, born in Oshu, Iwate, Japan on July 5, 1994, is a Japanese professional baseball player known for his ability to bat and pitch. Standing 6’4 and 210 pounds, Ohtani was a highly anticipated prospect in Japan, where he began his professional career with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters before making the leap into the MLB in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani currently plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Since joining the league, Ohtani has made an immense impact, earning the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year and the 2021 American League Most Valuable Player Award. His capabilities to excel both as a pitcher and as a designated hitter sets him apart from most athletes. Ohtani has constantly been in the top percentile of the league in home runs and batting average while also displaying impressive numbers on the mound. His 100 mph fastball and his signature splitter make Ohtani one of the most feared pitchers in the league. His 2021 season, where he hit 46 home runs and struck out 189 batters, solidified his status as one of the league’s greatest players.
Currently, Ohtani is finishing one of the most remarkable seasons in MLB history with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2024, he became the first player ever to achieve both 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Now, as the Dodgers prepare for the postseason, Ohtani is elevating his game, hitting .621 in his last seven games, and is anticipating his first playoff appearance.
(Photo Credit: Embassy of the United States in Japan licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License)
