Imagine a baseball player so extraordinary that he’s not just redefining the game but also challenging the very limits of human potential. Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way phenom, is on a mission that could rewrite history. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can he truly dominate as both a hitter and a pitcher at the highest level, and is a Cy Young Award within his grasp? Let’s dive in.
As Ohtani emerged from rehab last year, his stamina surged, and his pitching prowess began to mirror that of a traditional starter. Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior initially doubted their collaboration would thrive. After all, balancing hitting and pitching seemed like a logistical nightmare. Yet, Ohtani’s dedication proved Prior wrong. And this is the part most people miss: Ohtani’s relentless focus transformed every inning into a strategic review session. Whether he was gearing up to bat or dissecting his performance with Prior and his catcher, his commitment was unwavering. Even amid the chaos of switching roles, he’d leave questions hanging, expecting answers upon his return. As Prior put it, “He’s present in the moment,” a stark contrast to most players who’d seek a breather.
This duality in Ohtani’s personality is striking. When he’s solely hitting, he’s relaxed, almost jovial. But when pitching, an intensity emerges—an edge that’s hard to ignore. As spring training kicked off, with Ohtani gearing up for full-time two-way duties for the first time in three years, his intent was crystal clear. Dodgers president Andrew Friedman noted, “He seems like he’s on a mission, pitching-wise. Whenever we’ve seen him on a mission, good things happen.”
Consider this: In 2024, sidelined from pitching due to a second UCL repair, Ohtani channeled his focus into baserunning. The result? He more than doubled his career-high in stolen bases, joined the elite 50/50 club, and became the first designated hitter to win an MVP. Now, Friedman and many others believe Ohtani will bring that same laser-like focus to pitching. The question is, what heights will he reach?
Here’s a bold prediction: Ohtani, already a four-time unanimous MVP, could add a Cy Young Award to his trophy case. At 31, he’s already a two-time champion, and the Cy Young is the only major accolade eluding him. While he’s stated his primary goal is staying healthy, his coaches and teammates see a deeper ambition. As Dodgers catcher Will Smith boldly declared, “He can go out there and win a Cy Young this year. I have no doubt about that.”
Ohtani’s spring training performance has only fueled expectations. Throwing consistently in the mid-90s during the Dodgers’ first workout—a departure from his usual gradual approach—he later hit 98 mph in a simulated inning. Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez remarked, “I think this year we’re going to expect a different Shohei on the mound.”
Between 2021 and 2023, despite two elbow surgeries, Ohtani posted a 2.84 ERA with 542 strikeouts in 428⅓ innings. Among pitchers with at least 400 innings in that span, only Max Fried and Max Scherzer had lower ERAs, and only Blake Snell had a higher strikeout rate. Yet, the burning question remains: Does Ohtani still have untapped potential?
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Ohtani’s circumstances heading into 2026 are ideal. Having returned to the rotation late last year, he’s now working with an organization renowned for refining pitchers, despite its injury-prone reputation. Plus, he’s got a stellar rotation around him, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a Cy Young contender in his own right. Prior believes this competitive environment will push Ohtani to new heights, much like how Kershaw’s presence elevated his teammates in the past.
But let’s not forget the challenges. Ohtani’s participation in the World Baseball Classic, where he’ll only hit, could disrupt his pitching preparation. And the Dodgers’ deep rotation means he might not exceed 25 starts, potentially limiting his Cy Young chances. Yet, history shows Ohtani thrives under pressure. As Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said, “He keeps getting put in these spots where you expect something incredible to happen, and he rarely disappoints.”
So, here’s the ultimate question: Can Ohtani win the Cy Young while juggling hitting and pitching? Or is the two-way role too demanding for such an achievement? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
