The pressure of being Shohei Ohtani is tough, right? On one hand, you’ve got the pressure of performing better than last year as a hitter. On the other hand, as a pitcher also you’ve got to show some fastballs. It’s both a blessing and a burden to be a two-way phenom. However, how Ohtani is balancing them both is just mesmerizing to see.  

Including being one of the best players in baseball, fans and his teammates alike admire another quality in him; the quality of a leader. There have been a number of instances where Ohtani has taken charge and the results? Mission accomplished. Even veteran players like Miguel Rojas respect this trait of the Japanese superstar and have publicly acknowledged it. 

The two-way phenom is emerging as a leader in the clubhouse  

A leader on the field as well as in the clubhouse, Shohei Ohtani is taking charge and the words of Miguel Rojas just proved it. According to the Orange County Register, Rojas said, “Not just for the 50/50 (season) and the MVPs and all of that but the way that he’s becoming a leader in this clubhouse, bringing people into this organization (by being a part of the recruiting pitch to Yamamoto and Sasaki), helping others even though he’s got his hands full with trying to come back to pitching, coming back from surgery.” 

Once Shohei Ohtani made an entry into the baseball world, who would have thought that he would be adding new chapters to the history books? One such instance took place last year when he became the first-ever player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season on September 19. He hit 3 homers, stole 2 bases, and drove in 10 runs on a 6-for-6 night.

And on September 24, he hit 400 total bases and wrapped up the 2024 regular season with a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, 59 stolen bases, 134 runs scored, and 197 hits – all career-highs. But this wasn’t the only page dedicated to him.

As we flip through, we land on the other chapter. While still recovering from an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear in his right elbow, the 2x American League MVP joined the select 40-40 club on 23 August with a two-out, walk-off grand slam. And the cherry on top? He is not only the sixth player to have achieved this feat but he is also the fastest. It was just in his 126th game, by an interesting 21 games over Alfonso Soriano in 2006.

The two-way phenom also took charge of the players-only dinner in Tokyo which says plenty. “I can’t give you any details. That’s a secret,” his fellow Japanese teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto said. “But it’s going to be sushi and yakitori. It should be good.” Ohtani was also a crucial component in bringing Roki Sasaki into the team. The 30-year-old brought out his dog to meet Sasaki, and the former knew that the young pitcher loves dogs and has one of his own. Talk about a great strategy! But more than that Shohei Ohtani showed Sasaki the clubhouse dynamics in the Dodgers and how great it is.  

Shohei Ohtani may have helped Sasaki in more ways than one 

The Dodgers have been making some serious moves this offseason, and the 2025 season is shaping up to be a wild one. Two of their biggest acquisitions—starting pitcher Roki Sasaki and infielder Hyeseong Kim—are definitely going to shake things up. But here’s where it gets really interesting: you could argue that Shohei Ohtani is the unsung hero behind these signings. While Ohtani’s name has been all over the headlines as one of the most dynamic players in the game, it’s his unique dual-threat abilities that could ultimately help the Dodgers fit everyone into their already crowded roster.

The Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to pitching, with an impressive lineup of starters—yet they can only carry 13 pitchers at a time on the roster. So, what’s the solution to fitting all this talent in? Well, Ohtani might just be the key to unlocking that puzzle. While everyone knows him as an elite hitter, he’s also an ace on the mound when healthy. The genius part?  

Since Ohtani is also recognized as a designated hitter (not a pitcher), the Dodgers don’t have to list him as one, which leaves room for Roki Sasaki to join the rotation. It’s a clever workaround—almost like a little legal loophole—that lets them maximize their roster flexibility while still keeping all their stars in the mix. There’s no question, that the Dodgers are set up to be one of the most dangerous teams in 2025, and Ohtani’s versatility is a big reason why they’ve been able to pull this all off.