Shohei Ohtani, born on July 5, 1994, in Ōshū, Iwate, Japan, is a Japanese professional baseball player renowned for his exceptional dual-threat capabilities as both a pitcher and a hitter. Currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB), Ohtani has redefined the boundaries of what a baseball player can achieve.
Shohei Ohtani Quick Facts
Category | Details |
Full Name | Shohei Ohtani (大谷 翔平) |
Date of Birth | July 5, 1994 |
Place of Birth | Ōshū, Iwate, Japan |
Position | Pitcher / Designated Hitter (DH) |
MLB Debut | March 29, 2018 (Los Angeles Angels) |
Current Team | Los Angeles Dodgers |
Contract | 10-year, $700 million (signed December 2023) |
Notable Achievements | 2024 National League MVP, 2024 World Series Champion |
Endorsements | Nike, Asics, Seiko, Mitsubishi, New Balance, among others |
Who is Shohei Ohtani?
Shohei Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994, in Mizusawa, Iwate, Japan (now Ōshū), to Kayoko and Toru Ohtani. His mother was a national-level high school badminton player, while his father worked in an automobile plant and played amateur baseball in Japan’s Industrial League, influencing Ohtani’s early passion for sports. Read: Who Is Blaise Metreweli?
Shohei Ohtani Early Life and Amateur Career
Raised in a baseball-centric family, Ohtani was introduced to the sport at a young age. His father, Toru, was an amateur baseball player, and his mother, Kayoko, was a national-level badminton player. Ohtani attended Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture, where he gained national attention by throwing a 99 mph fastball during the 2012 high school baseball championship. Despite offers from major league teams, he chose to play for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), aiming to develop his skills further before transitioning to MLB.
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Shohei Ohtani Biography 2025
Category | Details |
Full Name | Shohei Ohtani |
Date of Birth | July 5, 1994 |
Place of Birth | Ōshū, Iwate Prefecture, Japan |
Nationality | Japanese |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Weight | 210 lbs (95 kg) |
Position | Pitcher, Designated Hitter |
MLB Debut | April 1, 2018 |
Current Team | Los Angeles Angels |
Previous Teams | Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (NPB) |
Nickname | “Shotime,” “The Japanese Babe Ruth” |
Key Facts about Shohei Ohtani
- Two-Way Player: Ohtani is one of the rare players in MLB history who excels both as a pitcher and hitter, a skillset often compared to the legendary Babe Ruth.
- International Stardom: Before joining MLB, Ohtani played in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, where he was also recognized as a standout talent.
- Record Breaker: Ohtani has broken numerous records, including being the first player in MLB history to be selected to the All-Star Game as both a pitcher and a hitter.
- Awards & Honors: Ohtani won the American League (AL) MVP award in 2021, and he has been named an All-Star multiple times.
Shohei Ohtani’s Career Stats
Shohei Ohtani made his debut for the Dodgers as a designated hitter on March 20, during the MLB Seoul Series against the San Diego Padres in Seoul. His first home run as a Dodger came on April 3 against the San Francisco Giants, marking exactly six years since his first Major League home run.
Category | 2024 Season | Career |
WAR (Wins Above Replacement) | 7.8 | 42.3 |
AB (At Bats) | 599 | 3082 |
H (Hits) | 176 | 857 |
HR (Home Runs) | 51 | 222 |
BA (Batting Average) | 0.294 | 0.278 |
R (Runs) | 123 | 551 |
RBI (Runs Batted In) | 120 | 557 |
SB (Stolen Bases) | 51 | 137 |
OBP (On-base Percentage) | 0.376 | 0.368 |
SLG (Slugging Percentage) | 0.629 | 0.57 |
OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) | 1.005 | 0.938 |
OPS+ (Adjusted OPS) | 181 | 155 |
On April 21, Ohtani made history by hitting his 176th career home run, surpassing Hideki Matsui for the most home runs by a Japanese player in MLB history. Later, on July 13, he became the first Japanese-born player to reach 200 career home runs in Major League Baseball.
Shohei Ohtani Professional Career
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2013–2017)
Ohtani’s tenure with the Fighters was marked by his dual-role performance. He excelled as both a pitcher and a hitter, leading the team to a Japan Series title in 2016. His remarkable abilities drew comparisons to baseball legends, setting the stage for his MLB journey.
Los Angeles Angels (2018–2023)
Ohtani made his MLB debut with the Angels in 2018, earning the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award. His 2021 season was historic, as he became the first player in MLB history to be named an All-Star as both a pitcher and a position player. In 2024, he achieved another milestone by becoming the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, earning the National League MVP and leading the Dodgers to a World Series victory.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2024–Present)
In December 2023, Ohtani signed a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, marking the largest contract in professional sports history at the time. The contract stipulates a $2 million annual salary, with deferred payments totaling $68 million starting in 2035. Despite recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, Ohtani returned to pitching in 2025, showcasing his resilience and commitment to his dual-role prowess.
Shohei Ohtani Net Worth and Salary 2025
As of 2025, Ohtani’s net worth is estimated to be between $150 million and $200 million, primarily derived from his MLB contracts and lucrative endorsement deals. His 2023 contract with the Dodgers, combined with annual endorsement earnings ranging from $40 million to $65 million, solidifies his status among the highest-paid athletes globally.
Shohei Ohtani Net Worth 2025
As of February 2025, Shohei Ohtani has achieved a net worth of $150 million in his career, as per Celebrity Net Worth. His net worth mostly comes from him being one of the most successful players in the league, winning the MLB World Series game, increasing his salary through contracts, his several endorsement deals and his investments.
Name | Shohei Ohtani |
Net Worth | $150 million (as of February 2025) |
Age | 30 years old (as of February 2025) |
Marital Status | Married |
Source of Wealth | Baseball, Endorsement deals |
Salary | $2 million (for the 2025 MLB season) |
Endorsements | Seiko Watch, Kose, Dip Corporation, Nishikawa, Panini, Oakley, Fanatics, Kowa Company Ltd., KOSE Corp., Hugo Boss, Salesforce, Japan Airlines, Konami, mitsubishi ufj fin grp (MTU), New Balance Topps, Rapsodo and Ito En |
Shohei Ohtani’s Salary
Shohei Ohtani will be earning $2,000,000 from the 2025 MLB season, as of Spotrac. He has signed a ten-year contract worth $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 9, 2023. Based on the terms of this contract, the Los Angeles Dodgers have promised him the full $700 million throughout ten years while setting his average annual salary of $70 million. However, his base salary from the 2025 MLB season will be $2 million since he will be getting the remaining $68 million as deferred cash annually in 2035. His unrestricted free agency will be beginning in 2034.
Shohei Ohtani’s Endorsements
Shohei Ohtani has signed endorsement deals with several brands. These include Seiko Watch, Kose, Dip Corporation, Nishikawa, Panini, Oakley, Fanatics, Kowa Company Ltd., KOSE Corp., Hugo Boss, Salesforce, Japan Airlines, Konami, Mitsubishi fin grp (MTU), New Balance Topps, Ito En and Porsche, as per Forbes. He is reportedly also endorsing Rapsoso, as of February 2025.
Shohei Ohtani’s Investments
Shohei Ohtani is notable for investing in TMRW Sports on November 2, 2022, as per Business Insider. He reportedly also invested in the Seed VC Round.
Shohei Ohtani’s House
Shohei Ohtani purchased a mansion in La Canada Flintridge, California, United States in May 2024 for $7.85 million from its former owner, comedian Adam Carolla, as per the NY Post. The house was a mansion consisting of five bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. Unfortunately, he decided to sell the house in July 2024 without ever living in it due to privacy violations by notable Japanese outlets like Fuji TV and Nippon TV, who wanted to know where he lived.
Shohei Ohtani’s Cars
Shohei Ohtani’s first car was the Tesla Model X P90d, as per Forbes. Besides that, he also owns a Bentley Continental GT, Rolls Royce Wraith, Aston Martin DB11, and a Mercedes Benz S63 AMG, as per The US Sun. He also owns a Porsche Taysan S due to his endorsement with the company, as per Forbes.
Shohei Ohtani’s Charity Work
Shohei Ohtani is known for his charity works off the field, as per NBC News. He along with the Los Angeles Dodgers donated $1 million in 2024 in aid to the victims of the earthquake in Japan. He also donated 60,000 youth gloves across 20,000 elementary schools in Japan in November 2023.
Shohei Itani’s Achievement and Awards
Shohei Ohtani made baseball history as the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. In a dominant 20-4 win over the Miami Marlins, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar ended the night with 51 home runs and 51 steals. Ohtani stole third base in the first inning, then recorded his 51st steal, followed by his 49th home run in the sixth inning, tying the Dodgers’ single-season home run record set by Shawn Green in 2001.
Awards and Honors
- 2024 National League MVP: First MLB player to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
- 2024 World Series Champion: Contributed significantly as a designated hitter.
- 2023 World Baseball Classic MVP: Played a pivotal role in Japan’s victory over the United States.
- Two-time MLB MVP: First player to win MVP in both the American and National Leagues.
- Multiple All-Star Selections: Recognized for excellence as both a pitcher and hitter.
International Impact
Ohtani’s influence extends beyond MLB. His performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he secured the final out against USA captain Mike Trout, captivated audiences worldwide. The event highlighted his status as a global ambassador for the sport.
Gallery
Note: Include images of Shohei Ohtani in action, such as pitching and hitting, as well as photos from significant career moments like the 2024 World Series.
Recent News
- June 2025: Ohtani made a successful return to pitching for the Dodgers, throwing one inning with a fastball reaching 100.2 mph.
- June 2025: He leads the National League in home runs and runs scored, with a .642 slugging percentage and a 1.034 OPS.
- June 2025: Ohtani is among the top vote-getters for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, reflecting his continued popularity and performance.
Shohei Ohtani Images
Conclusion
Shohei Ohtani’s career is a testament to unparalleled versatility and excellence in baseball. His ability to dominate as both a pitcher and a hitter has not only redefined the sport but also inspired a new generation of players and fans worldwide. As he continues to break records and achieve milestones, Ohtani’s legacy as one of the greatest baseball players of all time is firmly established.
People Also Ask
Why is Shohei Ohtani so special? Shohei Ohtani is special because he is the only player in modern baseball to consistently excel at an elite level as both a pitcher and a hitter. His ability to hit towering home runs while simultaneously throwing triple-digit fastballs is unprecedented, making him a unique “two-way” superstar.
How tall is Shohei Ohtani’s wife? Shohei Ohtani’s wife, Mamiko Tanaka, is reportedly 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall.
Has anyone ever had a 45-45 season? As of the current date (June 2025), no player in MLB history has ever achieved a “45-45 season” (45 home runs and 45 stolen bases in a single season). It is a rare feat to even reach 40-40, which has only been done four times in MLB history.
Does Shohei Ohtani have a twin brother? No, Shohei Ohtani does not have a twin brother. He has an older brother named Ryuta Ohtani.