Is Shohei Ohtani a Better Hitter or Pitcher? Everything to Know About His Two-Way Abilities

What can be said about Shohei Ohtani that hasn’t already been spoken? A brutal force from the mound and hit machine from the plate, Shohei Ohtani is the Rolls-Royce of baseball. A true unicorn, since most professional baseballers excel at either defense or offense, not both. But then again, it makes one wonder, is Sho-time better at pitching or hitting?

Ohtani’s stats supposedly vary year to year in each but after all, the Japanese phenomenon has been playing the sport since his elementary school days. What is the 29-year-old better at, slugging or pitching? And is there actually something more he can do at baseball?

Shohei Ohtani: The Baseball Savant & Japan’s Babe Ruth

Once in a blue moon, athletes with such raw talent grace the national stage that they surpass all expectations. It’s truly rare to see two-way talent in MLB, whose fans of course know Babe Ruth as the ultimate ballplayer. There has also been Negro League’s Bullet Rogan and the occasional player at the college level. But none of them have ever been labeled yakyū shōnen, a boy who lived and breathed baseball.

The slugger has long been hailed as Japan’s Babe Ruth, especially when he switched to Major League Baseball from Nippon Professional Baseball. His move to the Los Angeles Angels left many confounded but the Babe comparisons never ceased. To many, however, no one can even hold a candle to Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani’s career and achievements until now in pitching

In 2017, Sho-time was one of the most coveted free agents in years, national or international. As the 2023 season progresses, history repeats itself. And why not? Ohtani, as a pitcher, has been spectacular to witness.

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Throwing like a Cy Young candidate, Ohtani pitches right-handed and is known for his pitching variations. Be it splitter, fastball, curveball, slider, or even cutter, the two-way phenom does it all. In the 2023 season, he already has multiple games with 10+ strikeouts and lowered his ERA to 2.97 for a while, although his current career ERA ranks at 3.04.

And that’s nothing to say about his hitting stats.

Ohtani’s career and achievements until now in hitting

By June 2023, the Japanese sensation was the first ever MLB player to not only have 10+ strikeouts but also hit 2+ home runs and reach base 4+ times, all in the same game. Leading the league with 32 HRs, Sho-time is on pace to hit 56 homers this season. Let that sink in. A pitcher leads the league in home runs.

Mind-blowing? Well, fans think so! If this is not history being made in front of their eyes, what is? A powerful hitter who can also pitch incredibly well can certainly be considered the greatest baseball player of this generation, especially given his stats.

But, astonishingly, he can somehow do even more.

Can Shohei Ohtani do anything else?

In addition to these two jobs, Ohtani technically holds a third position as well – outfielder. It’s rare to see him in the field because he’s usually either found on the mound or the diamond. Although his usual duties include serving as pitcher and designated hitter, Sho-time has occasionally patrolled the outfield as well.

The slugger made a rare left-field appearance in 2021 when the Angels were experiencing a paucity of players. Although his time in the NPB with the Nippon Ham Fighters saw more field time, the practice stopped in 2014. Unless such a situation arises again, it can be assumed that Ohtani will keep to his usual duties.

Which side of Shohei Ohtani does the MLB world think is better?

Ahead of the 2023 All-Star Game, AL manager Dusty Baker was visibly impressed with the Angels powerhouse. “He’s the most incredible athlete I’ve ever seen in baseball,” coming from a man who has been in baseball for more than six decades. “I’ve seen some great players, but I mean none that can both run like the wind, throw a hundred miles an hour and hit as well as anybody in the game.”

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Many have addressed the rumors that surrounded him when he was making his MLB debut. Concerns about his body withstanding the pressure or how he was over-hyped. But high praise from Ohtani’s highly talented MLB peers has put all rumors to rest, who were asked to choose who they would pick. Shohei Ohtani, the hitter or pitcher?

LA Dodgers’ Mookie Betts told FOX Sports, “For someone to do what he’s doing is obviously amazing and we’re all witnesses to it. They said he’s a two-way player for a reason and that we’ll see it. We have seen it.”

His teammate Freddie Freeman, known for power-hitting, was genuinely dumbfounded at how Ohtani does the same as him and then also successfully takes the mound. “I’ve been talking about Shohei at All-Star Games for four years, and it’s the same answer. I don’t know how he does it. But I’m glad he’s here, and I’m glad I get to watch it.”

“It’s like peanut butter and jelly. They have to be together. They are better when they’re together,” was the Braves ace Spencer Strider’s answer.

While most stand divided on the topic, Nationals pitcher Josiah Gray ended the debate with a perfect conclusion. “There’s no wrong answer. He’s a stud. No matter what.”

In the end, who wins? 2023 home run leader or one of the leading pitchers?

Now that is the truly perplexing question. Recent performance would suggest that it’s Ohtani the hitter. His performance as a pitcher has slowed down, however minutely, in the last few years since his Tommy John surgery. But the fact that he’s still pitching with the skill of an MVP is astonishing too.

Fans just hope that after 2023, he will surround himself with a team that benefits him rather than holding him back.

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