Shohei Ohtani, the star pitcher and batter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is heating up as the 2025 MLB season progresses. On May 6, 2025, during a game against the Miami Marlins (May 7, Japan time), Ohtani blasted his 10th home run of the season, achieving a remarkable milestone of '10-10' for the fifth consecutive year. This achievement marks his fastest ever reaching of this milestone, as he combines his home run total with ten stolen bases.
Last season, Ohtani made headlines by accomplishing the incredible feat of '50-50'—hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases. This year, as he prepares for a return to pitching, discussions are swirling around the possibility of Ohtani achieving a groundbreaking '40-40-40' season, a unique record that would include 40 home runs, 40 stolen bases, and 40 strikeouts as a pitcher.
The moment Ohtani connected with the ball was electric. In the sixth inning, leading off with his third at-bat, he perfectly struck the first pitch from the Marlins' left-handed reliever, Benesiano, sending the ball soaring into the right-field upper deck. The home run traveled an impressive 403 feet (approximately 122.8 meters). After the game, Ohtani reflected on his performance, stating, "Not every home run can be like that. If I focus too much on hitting home runs, it narrows my batting range. If I can make good contact, the chances of hitting home runs with the right angle will naturally increase."
Ohtani's achievement of '10-10' in just 36 games is the fastest in Major League Baseball this season. According to the MLB official site, he is the 12th player to reach this milestone since Brian Roberts did so in 2005, marking a 20-year gap. If he continues at this pace, projections suggest Ohtani could finish the season with an astounding total of 47 home runs and 47 stolen bases, easily surpassing the historic '40-40' mark for the second consecutive year.
While Ohtani's hitting prowess continues to dominate, media outlets are also buzzing with expectations for his return to pitching. The American media outlet LAFB remarked on his current performance, stating, "Had he not set the bar so high last year, his current achievements would be even more historic. However, Ohtani is capable of aiming for even higher goals. If he returns to the mound and maintains elite performance, he has the potential to achieve the new statistical milestone of '40-40-40', which means 40 home runs, 40 stolen bases, and 40 strikeouts."
Additionally, the Times of India, a prominent English-language newspaper, echoed this sentiment, noting that if Ohtani returns as a pitcher, he could establish a rare record. The anticipation surrounding Ohtani's future performances is palpable, as fans and analysts alike are eager to see what he will accomplish next.
Historically, the legendary Babe Ruth, known for his two-way prowess, had a career-high of just 17 stolen bases in 1921 and 1923. Ohtani, however, is on the verge of redefining the possibilities of a player who excels in hitting, base running, and pitching—all at an elite level.
As for his return to pitching, Dodgers manager Roberts has indicated that it will likely happen after the All-Star break, around mid-July 2025. Ohtani's strikeout rate stands at an impressive '11.36', suggesting that he could easily surpass 40 strikeouts if he pitches around 40 innings in the final two and a half months of the season.
Ohtani continues to shatter preconceived notions about player capabilities in Major League Baseball. His extraordinary talent and versatility keep fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting each game to see what this remarkable athlete will achieve next.
On May 3, 2025, Nippon Television aired an episode of 'Going! Sports & News' featuring commentary from former Dodgers pitcher Takashi Saito and former Giants manager Yoshinobu Takahashi, who analyzed Ohtani's performance over the first month of the season. They noted Ohtani's gradual recovery from a slow start, highlighting a pivotal moment during the game against the Braves on May 4, where he hit a two-base hit to right-center field.
Takahashi remarked, "He is a player who can quickly notice when he's not timing well. In that at-bat, his trajectory and timing started to come together." As of April 2025, Ohtani's batting average was .287 with 7 home runs and 10 RBIs, compared to last year's .336 with 7 home runs and 19 RBIs. Although his batting average and RBIs have decreased, Saito believes Ohtani is still in good shape, stating, "He has a reputation for being a slow starter. He seems to be in excellent form, suggesting he trained hard during the offseason."
Both analysts predicted Ohtani's home run total for the season, with Saito estimating 51 home runs, while Takahashi agreed that Ohtani's pitching responsibilities might lead to a slight decrease in his home run count. Saito humorously added, "As a former pitcher, I hope he doesn't hit too many home runs while pitching. If he does, it would be tough for pitchers everywhere!"
As the season unfolds, the baseball world watches with bated breath to see how Ohtani will continue to defy expectations and carve out his legacy as one of the most unique talents in the sport's history. With each game, he moves closer to achieving milestones that could redefine what it means to be a two-way player in Major League Baseball.
