Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani found himself in some headlines recently as he was caught up in a scandal because of his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani was the victim of massive theft and fraud, losing millions of dollars as Mizuhara fueled a gambling addiction.
Being involved in such a scandal, even without any wrongdoing, could derail a player’s performance. But, that has not been the case for Shohei Ohtani, who has continued to be one of the most productive players in baseball.
In his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has not disappointed. Shohei Ohtani is leading MLB with 58 hits and 15 doubles, a slugging percentage of .659, OPS of 1.081, OPS+ of 203 and total bases with 108.
Opposing pitchers have had zero success getting him out, as he is focusing solely on hitting this season. After injuring his elbow, Ohtani’s pitching was put on hold for the 2024 season, as he is working toward getting back on the mound in 2025.
During the 2023 offseason, the record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract that Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers was presumed to include his pitching prowess. However, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Ohtani’s pitching days may be coming to an end.
Nightingale shared a report stating that should the Dodgers ask him to stop pitching and become an outfielder, he would be open to making the change.
“If the Los Angeles Dodgers ask Shohei Ohtani to give up pitching and be an everyday outfielder in the future, two persons familiar with Ohtani’s thinking say he’d likely be amenable,” wrote Nightengale.
As a pitcher, Shohei Ohtani has found plenty of success. He finished fourth in the Cy Young race in 2022, sandwiched between the two MVP awards that he has won.
In his career, he has a 3.01 ERA and has struck out 608 batters compared to 173 walks. He has the stuff to be an ace of your pitching staff, but the Los Angeles Dodgers may find it worthwhile to have him stop taking the mound.
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