Shohei Ohtani’s pitching evolution is nothing short of a masterclass in redefining the art of throwing a baseball. What began as a flash of brilliance quickly morphed into a strategic masterpiece, leaving even the most seasoned MLB insiders scratching their heads in awe. Ohtani’s approach isn’t just about raw power or finesse—it’s a calculated strategy that seems poised for long-lasting dominance. But don’t be fooled; there’s much more behind his rise than meets the eye, and it’s time to break it down for those still playing catch-up.

Shotime is back in full action for the 2025 season. Although not for the opening day, Ohtani has guaranteed that he will be back on the mound. But there are some changes to his pitching, as seen by some insiders on training day.

The MLB insiders were discussing this for a large part of the show. Tom Verducci, one of the insiders, gave a detailed breakdown of Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher and how their second shoulder surgery has impacted his pitching.

He said, “When I saw him, that looked like a different Ohtani to me. The first thing was the windup. We have never seen Shohei pitch out of the windup in Major League Baseball. It’s always been that stretch position; going back to his first Major League pitch, 2021, he comes back from the surgery, and then the last start before it, the second surgery, all from the stretch position.”

Verducci says that one of the most visible changes is the windup to pitch. He has always been pitching using the stretch position. From the first time he pitched in the MLB to the last time he pitched. But now he has switched to a full wind-up.

This change could be to reduce the strain on the arm and improve his rhythm. Shohei Ohtani also appears to be physically stronger than before the surgery. This shows that he has been putting his work in the gym. He only threw a few pitches in the bullpen, but they clocked 92-94 mph. These are very good signs.

Another important change was the releasing point of the ball. Before the surgery, his releasing point was a little low. But now it is back to its natural position in the higher three-quarter arm slot. With all these things, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be feeling optimistic about Ohtani as a player but more importantly as a pitcher.

If Ohtani’s evolution on the mound is any indication, the rest of the league better start recalibrating their scouting reports—because a stronger, more refined version of him is coming. And if the Dodgers weren’t scary enough already, they now have a pitcher who just might have cracked the code to longevity.

Shohei Ohtani’s ultimate test: Can he still be the best hitter and pitcher in baseball?

Shohei Ohtani’s career has been all about redefining baseball. After the second shoulder surgery and an offseason full of recovery, the question is not whether he can still dominate as both a hitter and a pitcher. It’s whether the rest of the league can keep up. With the Dodgers behind him and the whole world watching, the time for Ohtani’s ultimate test is now.

Among the many admirers in the league, his current manager Dave Roberts stands at the forefront, “Ohtani’s delivery was excellent, his arm stroke was clean, and he had good command.” Ohtani’s precision on the mound is unreal—he controls every pitch like a maestro. To dominate even more, he keeps his pitch count low, saving his firepower for the late innings, where he unleashes blistering fastballs that leave batters helpless.

Another fan of the Japanese player is none other than his former AL rival, Aaron Judge, put it best: “When he’s right, he’s pitching, doing his thing. He’s the best player out there.” When your opponents are already wary of your pitching before you even step on the mound, that speaks volumes about your dominance. And if you think you’ve seen it all, just wait for the 2025 season—because the best might be yet to come.

Moving on to the hitting side of things, Ohtani’s batting is an absolute force of nature. His stats aren’t just impressive; they’re historic. He remains the only player ever to crush 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, a feat that puts him in a league of his own. Simply put, no one else is doing what he’s doing.

Even his former teammate, Mike Trout, pointed out, “Blasting a home run then pitching at 101 mph is just unbelievable.” But for those who follow Shohei Ohtani, this kind of greatness has become almost routine. And when one of the greatest players the game has ever seen says that about you, it’s not just a compliment—it’s a sign that you might be on your way to becoming the best.

Shohei Ohtani has already proven he’s a once-in-a-generation talent, and now, with the Dodgers in his corner, the challenge is whether he can keep rewriting the record books while defying the odds. If anyone can still be the best pitcher and hitter in baseball, it’s Ohtani—just don’t be surprised when the rest of the league starts taking notes. The only real question is, how much more history can one man make?