Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ standout player, continues to attract comparisons to some of Major League Baseball‘s greatest figures. Recently, former Cubs All-Star and current Dodgers bullpen coach Mark Prior drew a noteworthy parallel between Ohtani and legendary Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, highlighting unexpected similarities in their pitching styles despite Ohtani’s unique dual-threat talents.
Mark Prior Reflects on Shohei Ohtani’s Unique Skills and Nolan Ryan Comparison
Mark Prior, who earned All-Star honors in 2003 and now coaches the Dodgers’ bullpen, shared his thoughts on Ohtani during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show on August 20. Although Prior initially emphasized that Ohtani stands apart from any pitcher due to his exceptional hitting ability, he acknowledged a resemblance in pitching between Ohtani and Nolan Ryan.
Prior explained,
“Well, nobody. Because nobody hits as much as well as he does as a pitcher,”
but then noted,
“Though I did see a stat the other day that Fergie Jenkins had, I think thirteen homers as a Cub. So, I guess he had some good power numbers. But, you know, it’s a little bit, it’s (Ohtani’s pitching style) got a little bit of Nolan in him.”
This comparison highlights Ohtani’s rare combination of skills, blending formidable pitching with offensive power reminiscent of a bygone era when such versatility was even more uncommon.
Shohei Ohtani’s 2025 Season Performance and Recent Injury Update
While Ohtani’s pitching has been less dominant so far in 2025, he remains a strong offensive force. Over 485 at-bats this season, he holds a .285 batting average with 120 runs scored, 44 home runs, and 83 RBIs, maintaining his reputation as one of baseball‘s most dynamic hitters.
However, during a recent matchup at Coors Field, Ohtani sustained an injury that caused some concern. In the fourth inning of the Dodgers’ game against the Colorado Rockies, Ohtani was struck on the right thigh by a 93.7 mph line drive from Orlando Arciao. Although he finished the inning and took a fifth-inning at-bat, he did not participate further and exited the game.
Speaking about the injury after the game, Ohtani stated,
“I got hit in the same spot by a pitch, and right now it feels pretty good. I’m going to do everything in my ability to make sure it doesn’t affect me moving forward.”
When asked about his availability for the next series, Ohtani responded,
“That’s my intention, just making sure I get my treatment, and the goal is to be back to normal again. … I think we avoided the worst-case scenario.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani suffered a right thigh contusion and indicated that no further imaging or tests would be necessary. As a precaution, Ohtani is expected to miss the series finale against the Rockies but is hopeful to return for the upcoming series opener versus the San Diego Padres.
Implications for Ohtani’s Role and Future Impact
The comparison between Ohtani and Nolan Ryan, stated by Mark Prior, emphasizes the rarity and significance of Ohtani’s athletic profile in modern baseball, combining powerful hitting with pitching prowess. Despite his current injury setback, Ohtani’s offensive contributions remain critical to the Dodgers’ success. His health and ability to recover swiftly will be key factors in his continued impact throughout the season.
If Ohtani can return as he aims, the Dodgers will benefit from both his pitching and batting, reinforcing why the Shohei Ohtani Nolan Ryan comparison resonates so strongly among experts and fans alike. Ohtani’s blend of skills promises to influence how two-way players are perceived in the sport moving forward.