The assertion made by Ben Verlander, brother of future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander and a prominent baseball analyst and host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast, that Shohei Ohtani is the “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest Of All Time) of baseball is a statement that, on its surface, seems audacious, even blasphemous, to many traditionalists. After all, how can a player who has only been in Major League Baseball for a handful of seasons, albeit incredibly impactful ones, be compared to legends like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, or Barry Bonds, who dominated for decades? Yet, a deeper dive into Ohtani’s unprecedented skill set and the sheer historical anomaly of his existence reveals why such a claim, while perhaps premature for some, holds significant weight and sparks passionate debate among those who truly appreciate the nuances of the game.
To understand Ben Verlander’s perspective, one must first acknowledge his deep immersion in the sport. As a former professional baseball player himself (drafted by the Detroit Tigers, the same team that drafted his brother Justin), and now a dedicated analyst, he possesses an insider’s view and a keen eye for talent and impact. He’s not merely a casual observer; he’s someone who has spent his life around the highest levels of baseball, witnessed elite performances firsthand, and understands the immense difficulty of excelling in even one aspect of the game, let alone two at an historic level.
The core of the “G.O.A.T.” argument for Ohtani lies in his unparalleled two-way dominance. Baseball has seen great hitters and great pitchers, but never in the modern era, certainly not since Babe Ruth’s earliest days, has one player consistently performed at an elite, All-Star level as both a starting pitcher and a premier slugger. This isn’t just “good at both”; it’s “elite at both.”
Consider the data, which Ben Verlander frequently emphasizes. As of late June 2025, Shohei Ohtani’s career hitting statistics boast a batting average well over .280, with a prodigious number of home runs (already surpassing 250 in his career) and impressive on-base plus slugging (OPS) figures consistently above .900. He is a bona fide middle-of-the-order threat, capable of hitting for power, average, and getting on base. He’s also an elite baserunner, with a significant number of stolen bases, adding yet another dimension to his offensive game. He’s not just a power hitter; he’s an all-around offensive force. In 2024, his first season with the Dodgers, he slashed .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases – a historic 50/50 club member and an NL MVP.
Then there’s the pitching. Prior to his elbow injuries, Ohtani showcased a fastball that consistently touched triple digits, a devastating splitter, and a slider that baffled hitters. His career ERA as a pitcher sits around 3.00, with a strikeout rate exceeding 12 strikeouts per nine innings. He has demonstrated the ability to be a legitimate ace-level starting pitcher, capable of shutting down opposing lineups. While he has faced significant elbow issues that have limited his pitching in 2024 and parts of 2025, the potential and demonstrated capability of his two-way play when healthy is what truly sets him apart. Even with the pitching setbacks, the argument isn’t necessarily about his current pitching output, but the unprecedented combination of skills he has displayed.
The “G.O.A.T.” debate typically hinges on several criteria:
- Individual Accomplishments & Statistical Dominance: Ohtani has multiple MVP awards (including unanimous selections), Silver Slugger awards, and All-Star appearances. His statistical lines, when combining his hitting and pitching WAR (Wins Above Replacement), consistently place him among the very top players in baseball, often leading the league. No other player in baseball history generates such combined value.
- Impact on the Sport: This is where Ohtani truly shines. He has transcended baseball, becoming a global icon. He has brought new fans to the game, particularly from Asia, and ignited a passion for baseball in a way rarely seen. His presence alone elevates the casual fan’s interest and sells tickets. He makes the impossible seem possible, inspiring a new generation of players to consider two-way play.
- Uniqueness and Historical Precedent: This is Ohtani’s strongest argument. While comparisons to Babe Ruth are inevitable, even Ruth’s peak two-way contributions occurred over a relatively short period before he transitioned primarily to hitting. Ruth never achieved the statistical dominance as a pitcher that Ohtani has in the modern era, nor did he hit like Ohtani while simultaneously being an ace. Ohtani is truly doing something that hasn’t been done in over a century, and arguably, never to this level of sustained excellence in both facets.
- Peak Performance: Ohtani’s peak seasons (e.g., his unanimous MVP years) are arguably among the greatest individual seasons in baseball history, factoring in his contributions as both hitter and pitcher. The sheer volume of high-level output across both disciplines in a single season is staggering.
- Longevity of Success: This is the primary counter-argument to the “G.O.A.T.” claim for Ohtani. He hasn’t had the two-decade-long careers of legends like Mays, Aaron, or Ruth. His recent elbow injuries, while not career-ending, have impacted his pitching. True “G.O.A.T.” status often requires sustained excellence over a prolonged period. However, proponents like Ben Verlander would argue that what Ohtani has accomplished in a shorter timeframe is so extraordinary that it outweighs the longevity argument for now. If he continues to be an elite hitter for another decade and returns to even a portion of his pitching prowess, the longevity argument will fade.
Ben Verlander’s assertion isn’t just hyperbole; it’s a recognition of the profound and undeniable impact Ohtani has had on baseball. He views Ohtani as the ultimate answer to the question, “What if you took the best hitter and the best pitcher and put them in one player?” The answer is Shohei Ohtani, and the result is something truly unprecedented.
For someone like Ben, who has seen the grind and the immense talent required to reach the pinnacle of professional baseball, Ohtani represents a level of athleticism and skill that transcends traditional metrics. It’s not just about the numbers, though his numbers are astounding. It’s about the pure spectacle, the daily anticipation of witnessing something that defies belief. It’s about the feeling that you are watching an evolution of the game, embodied in a single player.
While the debate over the ultimate “Greatest Of All Time” will continue for as long as baseball is played, fueled by nostalgia, personal preference, and statistical analysis, Ben Verlander’s bold declaration for Shohei Ohtani is a powerful testament to the truly unique and historic talent that the Japanese phenom brings to the game. It’s a statement that forces us to reconsider the boundaries of what’s possible in baseball and to appreciate the living legend unfolding before our eyes. For many, including Ben Verlander, Ohtani isn’t just the greatest player right now; he represents a new definition of greatness in the sport’s long and storied history.
