Shohei Ohtani is the most unusual player in modern baseball: a genuine two-way star who both pitches and hits at an elite level in the same season. For fans across New Zealand who follow Major League Baseball (MLB) from the other side of the Pacific, his games have become a reason to switch the stream on over breakfast.
This guide explains who Ohtani is, how his two-way role works, what his recent seasons actually looked like in the numbers, how to watch him legally in New Zealand, and why his success matters for grassroots baseball here. Every figure below is drawn from official and reputable baseball records rather than hype.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Shohei Ohtani |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 July 1994, Ōshū, Iwate, Japan |
| Position | Pitcher and designated hitter (two-way player) |
| Current team | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| MLB debut | 2018, Los Angeles Angels |
| Jersey number | 17 |
| MVP awards | 4 (all unanimous: 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025) |
| World Series titles | 2 (2024, 2025, with the Dodgers) |
| Notable record | First MLB player to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season (2024) |
Who Is Shohei Ohtani?
Shohei Ohtani was born on 5 July 1994 in Ōshū, in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. He began his professional career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, where coaches took the unusual step of developing him as both a pitcher and a hitter instead of forcing him to choose one path.
He moved to MLB in 2018, signing with the Los Angeles Angels, and won the American League Rookie of the Year award in his first season. After six years with the Angels he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season. You can read a fuller biography on his Wikipedia page, though the career figures in this guide are taken from official MLB statistics.
Why a Two-Way Player Is So Rare
In baseball, players are almost always specialists: a starting pitcher works every fifth or sixth day and rarely bats, while a designated hitter (a batter who hits but does not field) focuses solely on offence. The last player to combine front-line pitching with everyday hitting over a full career was Babe Ruth, more than a century ago, before the sport moved firmly toward specialisation.
Ohtani does both at once. On the days he pitches, he can also bat in the same game; on the days he does not pitch, he hits as the designated hitter. Sustaining that workload across a 162-game season is physically demanding, which is part of why his achievements have drawn so much attention from coaches and sports scientists. If you are new to the position, our explainer on the pitcher in baseball is a useful companion read.
Career Milestones at a Glance
The table below summarises the key stages of Ohtani’s career to date, with verified highlights at each step.
| Stage | Team | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| NPB years (2013-2017) | Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | Pacific League MVP and Japan Series champion in 2016 |
| MLB arrival (2018-2023) | Los Angeles Angels | AL Rookie of the Year (2018); unanimous AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 |
| Dodgers debut (2024) | Los Angeles Dodgers | First-ever 50-50 season; unanimous NL MVP; first World Series title |
| Pitching return (2025) | Los Angeles Dodgers | Returned to the mound; fourth MVP; second straight World Series title |
What the Numbers Say: 2024 and 2025
Ohtani’s reputation rests on real, documented production, so it is worth looking at his two Dodgers seasons rather than vague projections.
In 2024 he could not pitch while recovering from elbow surgery, so he played solely as a hitter — and still made history. He batted .310 with 54 home runs and 130 runs batted in (RBI, the number of runners a batter drives home), and he stole 59 bases. That made him the first player ever to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, the so-called 50-50 club. He was the unanimous National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) and won his first World Series as the Dodgers took the title.
In 2025 he returned to pitching while continuing to hit. As a batter he posted a .282 average with a .392 on-base percentage and a .622 slugging percentage, good for a league-leading 1.014 OPS (on-base plus slugging), along with 55 home runs, 102 RBI and 146 runs. On the mound he made 14 starts with a 2.87 ERA (earned run average) and 62 strikeouts. He won a fourth MVP award — his third in a row — and the Dodgers repeated as World Series champions.
| Stat | 2024 (hitting only) | 2025 (two-way) |
|---|---|---|
| Batting average | .310 | .282 |
| Home runs | 54 | 55 |
| RBI | 130 | 102 |
| Stolen bases | 59 | 20 |
| OPS | 1.036 | 1.014 |
| Pitching | Did not pitch | 14 starts, 2.87 ERA, 62 K |
All four of Ohtani’s MVP awards have been unanimous, and he is only the second player in history (after Frank Robinson) to win the award in both the American and National Leagues. For the pitching side of his game, measures such as ERA and WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) give a clearer read on effectiveness than wins and losses alone.
The Dodgers Move and Back-to-Back Titles
Ahead of 2024, Ohtani signed a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers reported at US$700 million — one of the largest deals in sports history. Its structure was unusual: roughly US$680 million is deferred and paid out after the contract ends, which gives the club more room to sign other players during the deal.
The investment paid off quickly. The Dodgers won the 2024 World Series, Ohtani’s first championship, then repeated in 2025, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a seven-game series. That made Los Angeles the first team to win consecutive World Series since the New York Yankees of 1998-2000. If you want to understand how a team reaches that stage, our guide to the MLB playoffs explains the bracket and format.
How to Watch Ohtani and MLB in New Zealand
Because the Dodgers are based on the United States west coast, many of their games are broadcast live in the morning and early afternoon New Zealand time — convenient for local viewers. The good news is that there are straightforward, legal ways to follow along without resorting to unofficial streams, which are both unreliable and a security risk.
In New Zealand, MLB coverage is carried by Sky through its distribution deal with ESPN, available on Sky Sport and the Sky Sport Now streaming service. The official MLB.TV subscription is the alternative for fans who want every game on demand with multiple camera and commentary options. For a broader overview of your options, see our dedicated guide to watching MLB in New Zealand.
How to Watch in New Zealand
| Option | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Sport Now | Live MLB via Sky’s ESPN carriage, streamed without a satellite box | Flexible streaming on TV, laptop or phone |
| Sky Sport (TV) | Live MLB on Sky’s linear sport channels | Existing Sky satellite customers |
| MLB.TV | Official global subscription with on-demand games and multiple feeds | Fans who want every game and replays |
Ohtani’s Influence on Baseball in New Zealand
High-profile international stars help lift interest in a sport, and baseball in New Zealand is no exception. Organisations such as Baseball New Zealand and regional clubs like Wellington Baseball run coaching and junior programmes, and visible global success stories give young players something to aspire to.
Ohtani’s two-way career has also prompted a wider conversation about player development. Rather than pushing a child to specialise as only a pitcher or only a batter at a young age, many coaches now encourage developing a range of skills first. If you have a tamariki keen to try the sport, our guide to youth and community baseball in Wellington is a practical starting point.
A Note on Sports Betting
Ohtani’s profile has drawn attention to MLB betting markets. In New Zealand, the TAB is the only licensed operator for sports betting, and it lists markets on baseball. It is important to be clear about what betting is and is not: no system, statistic or “demo” improves your long-term odds, outcomes are uncertain, and wagering should only ever be treated as paid entertainment, never as a way to make money. The responsible-gambling information below applies to anyone who chooses to bet.
Responsible Gambling
This article is informational only and is not betting advice. Sports betting involves real financial risk, you can lose money, and it is restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Set a strict budget you can afford to lose, never chase losses, and take breaks.
If gambling is causing harm for you or someone you know, free and confidential help is available in New Zealand. Contact the Gambling Helpline New Zealand on 0800 654 655, text 8006, or visit the Health New Zealand gambling-harm services and the Department of Internal Affairs for information on safer gambling and your consumer rights.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What team does Shohei Ohtani play for?
Ohtani plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He joined the club ahead of the 2024 season on a 10-year contract reported at US$700 million, after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and an earlier career in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Why is Ohtani called a two-way player?
He both pitches and hits at an elite level in the same season, which is extremely rare in modern baseball. On days he does not pitch he usually bats as the designated hitter, and on days he pitches he can also bat, combining two roles that are almost always handled by separate specialists.
What is the 50-50 club?
In 2024 Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit at least 50 home runs and steal at least 50 bases in a single season, finishing with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. That combination of power and speed is what the “50-50 club” refers to.
How can I watch Ohtani’s games in New Zealand?
MLB is carried in New Zealand by Sky through its ESPN deal, on Sky Sport and the Sky Sport Now streaming service. The official MLB.TV subscription is another option for on-demand access to every game. Because the Dodgers play on the US west coast, many games air live during NZ mornings.
How many MVP awards has Ohtani won?
Ohtani has won four Most Valuable Player awards, all of them unanimous: two in the American League (2021 and 2023) and two in the National League (2024 and 2025). He is only the second player, after Frank Robinson, to win the MVP in both leagues.
