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Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is ready to make a run at the last major honor that eludes him: the Cy Young Award.
Ohtani’s resume is full of otherworldly accolades — four MVP awards, two World Series titles, first player ever with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season — but his pitching is relatively unawarded.
This season, though, that might be about to change.
Reporting for ESPN, Alden Gonzalez spoke with Dodgers players and executives about Ohtani’s goals for the year.
“He seems like he’s on a mission, pitching-wise,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “Whenever we’ve seen him on a mission, good things happen.”
“He wants a Cy Young,” Dodgers backup catcher Dalton Rushing added. “He wants a Cy Young, and you can tell with the way he’s carrying himself here recently.”
“I think this year we’re going to expect a different Shohei on the mound,” said Teoscar Hernandez.
But is that a feasible goal? Can someone who’s perhaps the best hitter in baseball also be the best pitcher in the National League?
If you ask those who know Ohtani best, they’re certain he can do it.
He’s hit 98 mph in simulated innings in spring training, with Rushing calling his pitching “electric.”
“There’s no ceiling with him,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith told ESPN. “He can go out there and win a Cy Young this year. I have no doubt about that.”
What is Shohei Ohtani Like as a Pitcher?
Last season, Ohtani started 14 games on the mound, with a record of 1-1.
He had an ERA of 2.87 and 62 strikeouts against nine walks, with a WHIP of 1.043.
Ohtani didn’t pitch for the Boys in Blue his first season in 2024, but in five seasons pitching for the Los Angeles Angels he had a record of 38-19 with an ERA of 3.01 and WHIP of 1.082.
We’ll have to wait until after the World Baseball Classic to see Ohtani’s pitching for ourselves, but with there’s plenty of hype. Do you think Ohtani can win the Cy Young Award?