Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has been witnessing something extraordinary in Major League Baseball: Shohei Ohtani’s exceptional dual baseball talent as both a pitcher and a hitter. As teammates over the past season and a half, Kershaw has had the opportunity to closely observe Ohtani’s rare ability to excel on the mound while also being a potent force at the plate, now both occupying spots in the Dodgers’ starting rotation.
Outstanding Performance on the Mound
Kershaw openly expressed his admiration for Ohtani’s pitching prowess. Reflecting on his Japanese teammate’s skills, Kershaw said,
“We all knew that he threw hard. But he’s got really good stuff. He’s got multiple pitches. He’s got six pitches, seven pitches – I don’t even know how many he’s got. His command – for not pitching for two years – is really good. He doesn’t have too many misses.”
This quote highlights Kershaw’s recognition of Ohtani’s impressive pitch variety and control despite a long hiatus from pitching.
Supporting these observations, data from FanGraphs shows Ohtani has thrown 42.9 percent of his pitches in the strike zone, matching the league average. Beyond accuracy, Ohtani has struck out ten batters while allowing only five hits during his initial nine innings, underlining his dominance during this recent stretch.
The Remarkable Road Back to the Mound
What makes Ohtani’s resurgence truly notable is the context of his recent challenges. He had not pitched for nearly two years, with his last appearance on the mound being in August 2023. This gap was due to rehabilitation following a second major elbow surgery in five years. Meanwhile, he earned the 2024 National League MVP as the Dodgers’ designated hitter, emphasizing his outstanding contributions even while recovering as a pitcher. Kershaw reflected on this journey, noting,
“I guess we shouldn’t be surprised because it’s Shohei. But it’s been impressive—really impressive.”
Ohtani’s Innovative Management of Dual Roles
Ohtani’s approach to balancing his pitching workload is unconventional yet effective. Pitching on a carefully managed schedule akin to minor league rehab, he has increased his innings incrementally—starting with one inning and building up to three across his first five starts. Simultaneously, he holds the demanding position of the Dodgers’ everyday leadoff hitter, moving effortlessly from pitching to batting in home games.
Kershaw acknowledged the difficulty of managing these dual responsibilities, stating,
“That’s a hard thing to do too. I don’t think I could do that. To have that kind of feel for what you want to do – it’s just impressive. I don’t know what else to say.”
Additionally, Ohtani’s ability to call his own pitches adds complexity and autonomy to his game strategy, further emphasizing his unique skill set.
From Initial Rivalry to Mutual Respect
The relationship between Kershaw and Ohtani has evolved significantly since their first meeting during spring training in 2018. At that time, Kershaw struck out Ohtani in a Cactus League game and showed a detached attitude about the matchup, famously remarking,
“He didn’t pick us, so good luck to him,”
after Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels instead of the Dodgers.
Seven years later, the dynamic has transformed. Kershaw now openly respects Ohtani’s extraordinary talent and dedication in making a high-level return to pitching. Their joint presence on the Dodgers’ roster symbolizes the merging of their careers and contributions, shaping the future of the team and capturing the attention of baseball fans worldwide.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Shohei Ohtani the only 50/50?
A. Shohei Ohtani is the lone member of the 50/50 club, meaning he is the only player with this combination of achievements.
Q. Is Shohei Ohtani in the 50/50?
A. So, one year later, Ohtani reached 10 homers and 10 steals even quicker than when he joined the 50-50 club. In the first 34 games of 2024, the Dodgers’ designated hitter hit eight home runs and stole seven bases. Lately, Ohtani has been performing exceptionally well, achieving a 1.299 OPS over his last 11 games.