Ohtani's Ambition: A Two-Way Star for Years to Come?
Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' phenomenal two-way player, is making a significant impact in 2025. His performance both at the plate and on the mound has sparked considerable excitement and speculation about the longevity of his unique role.
Offensively, Ohtani is hitting an impressive .284 with 42 home runs, 78 RBIs, and a stellar 1.013 OPS. He's also a threat on the basepaths, with 17 stolen bases. On the pitching side, he boasts a 2.37 ERA with 25 strikeouts in just 19 innings, making a strong case as one of the Dodgers' best starters, albeit with a limited sample size.
The question on everyone's mind is: how long can Ohtani maintain this dual role at such a high level? Ohtani himself expressed his desire to continue as a two-way player for as long as possible. "It's always hard to determine the longevity of any career," Ohtani said, "So my goal is just to be able to play two-way as long as possible, and just being able to play as long as possible."
Dodgers' President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, shed more light on Ohtani's vision, revealing that the superstar hopes to pitch for the remaining eight years of his contract. The Dodgers are taking a methodical approach to his pitching development this season.
Manager Dave Roberts shared his optimism about Ohtani's future with the team. He trusts Ohtani's versatility and his eagerness to contribute. Roberts even mentioned that he likes the idea of Ohtani as a high-impact closer, but he acknowledged that the team needs Ohtani to pitch as many innings as possible to help win a championship. He stated, "So right now we need him to pitch innings."
With several star pitchers potentially returning to the Dodgers' rotation, the team could have one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball. This scenario has sparked debate about how Ohtani should be utilized, especially given the team's bullpen struggles.
The Future of Ohtani's Role
The Dodgers are being cautious with Ohtani's return to the mound, but his talent is undeniable. The team will continue to monitor his progress after each outing, assessing his performance and physical response. The ultimate goal is to maximize Ohtani's impact while ensuring his long-term health and effectiveness.