You’re referring to Shohei Ohtani, the two-way phenom for the Los Angeles Angels. In 2024, Ohtani became the only player in MLB history to finish a season ranking among the league leaders both as a position player (hits, at-bats, home runs, etc.) and as a pitcher (wins, strikeouts, ERA, etc.). That year, he was awarded American League MVP for the second time, following his first MVP award in 2021.
As a hitter, Ohtani racked up impressive stats:
- He collected over 180 hits and surpassed 90 RBIs.
- His batting average hovered around .280–.290.
- He belted approximately 40 home runs, placing him among the top in the AL.
On the mound, he continued to dominate:
- He logged over 160 innings pitched.
- He struck out more than 200 batters.
- His ERA remained in the low 3.00s, keeping him among the league’s top pitchers.
No other player in MLB history has ever managed to be among the league leaders in batting and pitching stats in the same season—ever.
Ohtani’s 2024 MVP was confirmation of his status as a generational talent—a two-way player not seen since the early days of professional baseball. His second MVP award also solidified his place in MLB history as the first to earn multiple MVPs as a two-way star. Heading into 2025, that’s where things really get exciting.
As of June 2025, Ohtani continues to build on his legacy:
- At the plate, he’s hitting around .300, with a robust OPS (on-base plus slugging) near or above .950—keeping him in contention for top offensive honors.
- He’s on his way to 20+ home runs, with over 60 RBIs and nearing 100 hits—well on track for another 200-hit pace.
- On the mound, he’s already surpassed 100 strikeouts, with an ERA hovering around 3.00 or better, and more than 100 innings pitched.
In short, it’s quite possible he’ll repeat the dual-leadership feat in both hitting and pitching categories, which would be unprecedented in MLB history.
- Two-way players have been virtually nonexistent since the early 20th century.
- The physical demands of both hitting and pitching at elite levels are incredibly high—Ohtani’s shoulder and swing have remained strong simultaneously.
- No other player has come close to this kind of dual dominance in the modern era.
If he maintains his current pace through the season, Ohtani could become the first-ever player to lead the league in both offensive and pitching categories, not once, but twice.
Here are some benchmarks to keep an eye on:
- Second consecutive AL MVP if he keeps excelling both ways.
- A realistic shot at the AL Cy Young Award, competing with full-time pitchers.
- A strong case for the Silver Slugger at DH or designated batting position.
- Perhaps even a historic sweep of both MVP and Cy Young—something never seen before from a two-way player.
Shohei Ohtani’s blend of elite pitching and power-hitting is unprecedented in the modern era. As of mid‑2025, he’s on pace to duplicate his remarkable 2024 feat—potentially leading the American League in both pitching and batting categories again. That alone would solidify him as perhaps the most significant baseball talent of the 21st century.
If you’d like, I can keep you updated as the season progresses—or dive into deeper analytics, comparisons with legendary two-way players like Babe Ruth, or projections for Ohtani’s award odds. Let me know what suits you!
