Career Timeline of Shohei Ohtani: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Shohei Ohtani, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Shohei Ohtani is a Japanese professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, renowned as a two-way player excelling as both a designated hitter and pitcher. Nicknamed "Shotime," he previously played for the Los Angeles Angels and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan's NPB. His exceptional performance in both roles has led to comparisons with Babe Ruth and recognition as one of the greatest players in baseball history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1930: Record Tying Walk Span

From September 22 to 25, 2021, Ohtani drew 13 walks in a 4-game span, tying an AL/NL record set by Babe Ruth in 1930, Bryce Harper in 2016, and Yasmani Grandal in 2021.

1982: Angels' Left-Handed Batter Record

On August 18, 2021, Ohtani hit his 40th home run of the year, becoming the first left-handed batter in Angels history to reach 40 home runs, surpassing Reggie Jackson's 1982 record of 39.

1998: Joining Jose Canseco

For the year, Ohtani finished his pitching campaign and also became the second player in AL history to record at least 45 homers and 25 stolen bases in a season, joining Jose Canseco in 1998.

1999: AL Player Accomplishment

On August 28, 2021, Ohtani became the first Japanese-born player and the first player in Angels history to hit 40 home runs and have 20 stolen bases in the same season, joining Alex Rodriguez in 2007 and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1999 as the 3rd AL player to accomplish this feat before September.

2000: Chasing Troy Glaus's Record

On September 26, 2021, Ohtani finished the year with the second-most home runs in a season in Angels history at 46, trailing only Troy Glaus's 47 home runs in 2000.

2004: Johan Santana's 2004 Season

In 2004, Johan Santana had a season where he went 6-0 with 58+ strikeouts and 2 or fewer earned runs in a six-game span, joining the list of Cy Young winners achieving this feat. This is contextualized with Shohei Ohtani's similar achievement later in his career.

2004: Passing Hideki Matsui's Home Run Record

On July 7, 2021, Shohei Ohtani hit his 32nd home run of the year, passing Hideki Matsui's mark in 2004 for the most home runs hit during a season by a Japanese-born player in MLB.

2006: Tadahito Iguchi's seven-RBI Game in 2006

In 2006, Tadahito Iguchi had a game with seven RBIs. This is mentioned in the context of Shohei Ohtani surpassing this record with eight RBIs in a game on June 21, 2022.

August 21, 2007: Garret Anderson's Franchise-Record 10 RBIs

On August 21, 2007, Garret Anderson had a franchise-record 10 RBIs against the New York Yankees. This is referenced in relation to Ohtani's eight RBIs on June 21, 2022, being the most by an Angels player since Anderson's record.

2007: AL Player Accomplishment

2009: Matsui's seven-RBI Game in 2009

In 2009, Matsui had a game with seven RBIs. This is mentioned in the context of Shohei Ohtani surpassing this record with eight RBIs in a game on June 21, 2022.

2011: AL Player Accomplishment

On August 28, 2021, Ohtani became the first Japanese-born player and the first player in Angels history to hit 40 home runs and have 20 stolen bases in the same season. He also became the first AL player to reach both of those totals in a season since Curtis Granderson in 2011.

2011: Lowest Home ERA Since Jered Weaver

On September 26, 2021, Ohtani reached the 150-strikeout milestone and finished the year unbeaten at home with a 1.95 ERA in 13 starts, the lowest by an Angels starter since Jered Weaver in 2011.

September 2012: Player of the Month Award

In July, Shohei Ohtani earned his second American League Player of the Month Award, becoming the first back-to-back Player of the Month Award winner in either league since Chase Headley in August and September 2012.

October 21, 2012: Decision to Pursue MLB Career

On October 21, 2012, Shohei Ohtani announced his decision to pursue a career in Major League Baseball (MLB) after high school, attracting attention from several teams, before ultimately signing with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

2012: U-18 Baseball World Cup

In 2012, Ohtani was selected to Japan's national under-18 team that eventually finished in sixth place at the 2012 U-18 Baseball World Cup in Seoul.

2012: R.A. Dickey's 2012 Season

In 2012, R.A. Dickey had a season where he went 6-0 with 58+ strikeouts and 2 or fewer earned runs in a six-game span, joining the list of Cy Young winners achieving this feat. This is contextualized with Shohei Ohtani's similar achievement later in his career.

2012: Drafted by Fighters

In 2012, Shohei Ohtani was the first pick of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the NPB draft, despite his interest in playing in MLB. He ultimately signed with the Fighters.

2012: Threw 99 mph Fastball

In 2012, as an 18-year-old high school pitcher, Shohei Ohtani threw a 99 mph (160 km/h) fastball, which at the time set a Japanese high school baseball record. He also participated in the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship.

March 29, 2013: Made Fighters Debut

On March 29, 2013, at age 18, Shohei Ohtani made his debut in the Fighters' season-opening game, playing as a right fielder. He was selected for a Pacific League roster spot for the 2013 All-star game.

2013: Played for Fighters

In 2013, Shohei Ohtani began playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters as both a pitcher and outfielder, starting his professional career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

July 2014: Threw Fastest Pitch by Japanese Pitcher

In July 2014, during the All-Star Game, Shohei Ohtani threw a 101 mph (162 km/h) fastball, setting a new record for the fastest official pitch thrown by a Japanese pitcher. His jersey from the game was the top seller at a charity auction.

2014: Clayton Kershaw's 2014 Season

In 2014, Clayton Kershaw had a season where he went 6-0 with 58+ strikeouts and 2 or fewer earned runs in a six-game span, joining the list of Cy Young winners achieving this feat. This is contextualized with Shohei Ohtani's similar achievement later in his career.

2014: Garrett Richards' Achievement in 2014

In 2014, Garrett Richards was the last Angels pitcher to reach 110 strikeouts in the first half of the season, before Ohtani's achievement on July 6, 2022.

2015: Dominant Season

In 2015, Shohei Ohtani had a dominant season, earning the All-Star Game starter role and the Pacific League Best Nine award as a pitcher. He finished with a 15–5 record, a 2.24 ERA, and 196 strikeouts.

2015: Dominant Performance in Premier 12

In 2015, Shohei Ohtani was dominant for the Japanese national team in the Premier 12, including hitting 100 mph and racking up strikeouts against South Korea. He was named the All-Star SP for the event.

2015: WBSC Premier12 Tournament

In the inaugural WBSC Premier12 tournament in 2015, Ohtani earned a bronze medal with the Japanese national team. He was the ace of Japan's pitching staff, which also featured Kenta Maeda. Ohtani was subsequently named to the Premier12 All-World Team and was named the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation Baseball Player of the Year.

2016: Record Tying Walk Span

From September 22 to 25, 2021, Ohtani drew 13 walks in a 4-game span, tying an AL/NL record set by Babe Ruth in 1930, Bryce Harper in 2016, and Yasmani Grandal in 2021.

2016: Exceptional Season in NPB

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani had an exceptional season in NPB, hitting 22 home runs and maintaining a .322 batting average. As a pitcher, he had a 1.86 ERA and struck out 174 batters. He won the Best Nine award as both a designated hitter and a pitcher, and was named the Pacific League MVP.

2016: Led Nippon Ham to Japan Series Title

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani helped lead Nippon Ham to the Japan Series title. Despite losing the opener, he contributed significantly, especially in Game 3 with three hits and the game-winning RBI in the 10th inning. He hit .375 in the series.

2016: Best Nine Award and Pacific League MVP

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani made the Best Nine as both top pitcher and top DH in the PL, the first to receive the award for both positions. He also won the 2016 Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award with 253 of 254 first-place votes.

2016: Won Japan Series with Fighters

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani won the Japan Series championship with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, marking a significant achievement in his NPB career.

November 21, 2017: MLB and NPB reach posting agreement for Ohtani

On November 21, 2017, Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) reached an agreement to allow Shohei Ohtani to be posted, enabling him to potentially play in MLB.

December 9, 2017: Signs with the Los Angeles Angels

On December 9, 2017, Shohei Ohtani officially signed a deal with the Los Angeles Angels to play in Major League Baseball.

2017: Posted to MLB

After the 2017 season, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters posted Shohei Ohtani to Major League Baseball (MLB), allowing him to pursue opportunities in the United States.

2017: World Baseball Classic Withdrawal

In 2017, Ohtani was on Japan's 28-man roster for the World Baseball Classic but was forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury.

2017: Ohtani Signs with CAA Sports

In 2017, Shohei Ohtani began to be represented by agent Nez Balelo of CAA Sports, shortly after announcing his plans to pursue an MLB career.

September 2018: Last Pitching Appearance Before Injury

In September 2018, Shohei Ohtani made his last pitching appearance before returning to the mound in 2020 after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

2018: Implementation of the "Ohtani Rules"

During Shohei Ohtani's 2018 rookie season, the Angels implemented the "Ohtani Rules", which restricted his usage to pitching once a week and hitting three to four times between starts, mirroring his schedule in Japan.

2018: American League Intentional Walks Leader

For the year, Ohtani finished with an American League-leading 20 intentional walks, which was the most by an AL player since Mike Trout in 2018.

2018: Plans to play in Major League Baseball

In 2017, Shohei Ohtani revealed his intention to be posted at the end of the season and play in Major League Baseball in 2018.

2018: Won AL Rookie of the Year Award

In 2018, Shohei Ohtani, after signing with the Los Angeles Angels, won the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award, recognizing his outstanding performance in his debut MLB season.

2018: MLB Debut and Media Reaction

In 2018, during his debut MLB spring training, Ohtani faced challenges which led to disappointment from American news sources. However, by the end of the 2018 MLB regular season, the media admitted they wrote off Ohtani far too early.

May 7, 2019: First Game After Tommy John Surgery

On May 7, 2019, Shohei Ohtani played his first game with the Angels as a designated hitter against the Detroit Tigers, following Tommy John surgery.

2019: Offseason Overhaul After Disappointing Seasons

After the results of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Ohtani spent the offseason overhauling himself by adjusting his diet, throwing bullpen sessions earlier than usual, and embracing data and technology to optimize his training and recovery.

2020: Offseason Overhaul After Disappointing Seasons

2020: Return to the Mound and Flexor Strain

In 2020, Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound against the Oakland Athletics, making his first pitching appearance since September 2018. After experiencing discomfort, an MRI revealed a flexor strain in his right elbow, leading to him being shut down from pitching for the rest of the season.

November 16, 2021: Ohtani Partners with FTX

On November 16, 2021, Shohei Ohtani joined cryptocurrency exchange FTX as a global ambassador, partnering on various animal charitable initiatives.

2021: Record Tying Walk Span

From September 22 to 25, 2021, Ohtani drew 13 walks in a 4-game span, tying an AL/NL record set by Babe Ruth in 1930, Bryce Harper in 2016, and Yasmani Grandal in 2021.

2021: Ohtani's Previous Strikeout Record in 2021

In 2021, Ohtani had a total of 156 strikeouts. This is mentioned in the context of Shohei Ohtani setting a new single-season high in strikeouts on August 9, 2022, eclipsing his 2021 total.

2021: Ohtani's Historic 2021 Season

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani achieved unprecedented milestones, earning two Guinness World Records and the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award. Despite being offered the People's Honor Award by the Prime Minister of Japan, Ohtani declined, feeling it was premature. 'The Sporting News' ranked Ohtani's 2021 season as the greatest in sports history.

2021: All-Star Selection and Home Run Record

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani became the first player to be selected as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher. He also participated in the 2021 Home Run Derby, setting a record for the most home runs of at least 500 feet.

2021: Ohtani's All-Star Selection in 2021

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani had 33 home runs and was selected for the All-Star Game.

2021: Won First AL MVP Award

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani hit 46 home runs and struck out 156 batters, leading to him winning his first American League (AL) Most Valuable Player Award (MVP).

2021: Most Valuable Player and Accolades

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani was unanimously voted the American League Most Valuable Player and received numerous awards, including the Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, the Silver Slugger Award, and recognition on the Time 100 list.

2021: Ohtani's Endorsement Earnings Lead MLB

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani's endorsement earnings were an MLB league-leading $6 million.

March 22, 2022: MLB Introduces the "Ohtani Rule"

On March 22, 2022, Major League Baseball implemented a new rule known as the "Ohtani rule," allowing a pitcher to remain as a designated hitter after being removed from the pitching mound. Also, Ohtani started on Opening Day as both the starting pitcher and leadoff hitter, pitching 4+2⁄3 innings against the Houston Astros.

July 6, 2022: Ohtani Achieves Unique MLB Feat Against Marlins

On July 6, 2022, Shohei Ohtani made MLB history against the Miami Marlins by becoming the first player since RBI became an official statistic in 1920 to record 10 strikeouts as a pitcher, two RBIs as a batter, and a stolen base all in a single game.

August 9, 2022: Ohtani Achieves Multiple Historical Feats Against Athletics

On August 9, 2022, Shohei Ohtani achieved three historical feats against the Oakland Athletics: joining Babe Ruth in the 10-homer, 10-win club; surpassing Ichiro Suzuki on the all-time home run list for Japanese-born players; and setting a single-season career high in strikeouts.

October 1, 2022: Ohtani Signs One-Year Deal for 2023

On October 1, 2022, The Angels avoided arbitration with Ohtani, signing him to a one-year deal worth $30 million for the 2023 season. At $30 million, the deal set a new record for a player in his third year of arbitration, surpassing the $27 million Mookie Betts received before the 2020 season, and also gave Ohtani the biggest salary raise of any arbitration-eligible player (Juan Soto later broke it with $30.1 million); a $24.5 million raise from his 2022 salary of $5.5 million and $3 million of 2021.

2022: Qualified for Hitting and Pitching Leaderboards

In 2022, Shohei Ohtani became the first player in the modern era to qualify for both the hitting and pitching leaderboards in a single season, showcasing his exceptional two-way abilities, finishing third in the AL with 219 strikeouts as a pitcher.

2022: Ohtani's All-Star Selection in 2022

In 2022, Shohei Ohtani was selected for the All-Star game. Similar to 2023, he opted to participate only as a hitter in the All-Star Game and not pitch due to a blister.

2022: Ohtani Cover Athlete for MLB: The Show

In 2022, Shohei Ohtani was the first Asian player to be a cover athlete of MLB: The Show.

2022: Ohtani's Endorsement Earnings Lead MLB

In 2022, Shohei Ohtani's endorsement earnings were estimated to be an MLB league-leading $20 million, which tripled from $6 million in 2021.

2022: Ohtani Makes MLB History with RBIs and Strikeouts in Consecutive Games

In a two-game span from June 21-22, 2022, Shohei Ohtani made MLB history by becoming the first player in the American League or National League to have at least eight RBIs in a game and strike out at least 10 batters the next day.

2022: Ohtani's Impressive Performance in 2022 Season

Shohei Ohtani concluded the 2022 season with notable statistics as both a pitcher and hitter, finishing with a 15–9 record, a 2.33 ERA, and 219 strikeouts, while also hitting .273/.356/.519 with 34 homers. He won multiple awards, including his second straight Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, and was runner-up for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.

June 15, 2023: Ohtani Wins AL Player of the Week

On June 15, 2023, Shohei Ohtani won the AL Player of the Week for the fifth time in his career after a strong performance at the plate and a win as a starting pitcher against the Texas Rangers. At the time, he was leading MLB in homers, RBIs, and total bases while slashing .300/.384/.632.

July 2, 2023: Ohtani Wins AL Player of the Week for the Sixth Time

On July 2, 2023, Shohei Ohtani won his sixth career AL Player of the Week award, surpassing Suzuki for the most by a Japanese-born player. He also won his third career American League Player of the Month for June. His performance in June was considered to be the best June in MLB history.

August 2023: Last Pitching Appearance Before 2025

Before his pitching appearance in June 2025, Ohtani's last pitching appearance was in August 2023.

September 2023: Elbow Surgery Announcement

In September 2023, Ohtani and the Dodgers announced that due to an elbow injury and subsequent surgery, he would not pitch in the 2024 season.

December 11, 2023: Ohtani Signs Record-Breaking Contract with Dodgers

On December 11, 2023, Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the largest contract in professional sports history at the time. The contract was structured with deferred payments from 2034 to 2043.

2023: All-WBC Team Selection

After helping Japan clinch its third WBC title, Ohtani became the first player to be named to the All-WBC team at two separate positions, having been named to the 2023 team as both a DH and a pitcher.

2023: Ohtani Wins Multiple Awards After 2023 Season

Following the 2023 season, Shohei Ohtani was unanimously voted the American League Most Valuable Player for the second time, becoming the first player in MLB history to win MVP by unanimous vote twice. He also won his third straight Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, his second Silver Slugger Award, and his first career AL Hank Aaron Award. His contract expired after the 2023 season and he became a free agent.

2023: World Baseball Classic Performance

In 2023, Ohtani played for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He was named the Pool B MVP for his hitting and pitching performances in the group stage of the tournament. He earned the save in the championship game after pitching the final inning of Japan's win over the U.S., striking out then-teammate Mike Trout. Ohtani won the tournament's MVP award after batting .435/.606/.739 as a hitter and posting a 1.86 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 9+2⁄3 innings as a pitcher.

2023: Ohtani's Performance in 2023 Regular Season

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani batted .304/.412/.654 with 44 home runs and led the American League in home runs, becoming the first Japanese-born player to lead a U.S. major league in home runs. He also led the league in wins above replacement (WAR), slugging percentage, OPS, and adjusted OPS+.

2023: Ohtani Earns Automatic Spot on 2023 All-Star Roster

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani earned an automatic spot on the All-Star roster, receiving the most votes in the American League All-Star ballot. He was also elected as an All-Star pitcher, making it the third straight year he was named an All-Star as both a pitcher and DH. Due to a blister, he opted to participate only as a hitter in the All-Star Game.

2023: Led Team Japan to World Baseball Classic Championship

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani led Team Japan to their third World Baseball Classic championship and was named the tournament's MVP. The final game against the United States was highly watched, with Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to secure a 3–2 win.

2023: Ohtani's Contract for the 2023 Season

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani played under a one-year, $30 million contract with the Angels, setting a new record for a player in his third year of arbitration.

2023: Ohtani Surpasses Babe Ruth on Strikeout List in 2023

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani was named the Most Valuable Player of the World Baseball Classic and made his second straight Opening Day start for the Angels. Also, on May 10, 2023, Ohtani surpassed Babe Ruth on the all-time strikeout list.

2023: Won Second Unanimous AL MVP

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani won his second unanimous American League (AL) MVP award, leading the AL with 44 home runs while also recording 10 wins as a pitcher. He became the first player to win multiple unanimous MVPs and the first Japanese-born player to win a league home run title.

2023: Ohtani's Endorsement Earnings Lead MLB

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani's endorsement earnings were estimated to be an MLB league-leading $35–40 million, up from $20 million in 2022.

2023: Ohtani's Jerseys Top Sales Worldwide

Since 2023, Shohei Ohtani's jerseys have sold more than any other player in the U.S., Japan, and worldwide.

2024: National League MVP Award

After the 2024 season, Ohtani won the National League Most Valuable Player award unanimously. He became the first player in Major League Baseball history to win three MVP awards unanimously, two consecutive unanimous MVP awards, and unanimous MVP awards in both the American and National leagues. On December 23, Ohtani won his third AP Male Athlete of the Year award, tying Michael Jordan for the second-most wins in history.

2024: Dodgers Debut

In 2024, Ohtani debuted with the Dodgers as the designated hitter on March 20 against the San Diego Padres in Seoul as part of the MLB Seoul Series.

2024: Start of Ohtani's Contract with the Dodgers

In 2024, Shohei Ohtani's contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers will begin. He will receive a payment of only 2 million per year due to wage deferrals.

2024: Signed with Dodgers and Won NL MVP

In 2024, Shohei Ohtani, after signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, played as a designated hitter (DH) due to an elbow injury. He was unanimously named the 2024 National League (NL) MVP after becoming the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season and won the 2024 World Series.

2024: Ohtani Ruled Out of Pitching for Remainder of 2023 and 2024 Seasons

In August 2023, it was revealed that Shohei Ohtani would not pitch for the rest of the 2023 season and the 2024 season after suffering a ulnar collateral ligament tear in his right elbow.

May 2025: Tied Dodgers Home Run Record

In May 2025, against the Yankees, Ohtani tied the Dodgers record for home runs in a month with 15. Ohtani was also named the NL Player of the Month in May 2025 after slashing .309/.398/.782, with 15 home runs on the month.

2025: Ohtani's Endorsement Earnings Reach $100 Million

By 2025, Shohei Ohtani's estimated endorsement earnings had risen to $100 million for the year.

2025: NLCS MVP

In 2025, Ohtani had multiple MLB records and helped the Dodgers sweep the series. Ohtani struck out 10 batters in six-plus scoreless innings while also hitting three home runs in three at-bats, becoming the first pitcher in history to do so. He led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run, becoming the first pitcher to hit a leadoff homer in any MLB game. He also became the first pitcher with multiple home runs in a postseason game. Several sportswriters considered Ohtani's performance in Game 4 as one of the greatest of all time and he was named the 2025 NLCS MVP.

2025: Returned to Pitching and Won NL MVP

In 2025, Shohei Ohtani returned to pitching and set a Dodgers franchise record with 55 home runs in a season, winning his second consecutive National League (NL) MVP unanimously. He also secured back-to-back championships in the 2025 World Series, showcasing his exceptional performance.

2025: Ohtani's Likeness Added to Fortnite

In 2025, Shohei Ohtani's likeness was added to Fortnite, marking him as the first MLB player available in the game.

2025: 2025 Season Stats

Ohtani finished the 2025 season batting .282 with 55 home runs, 102 RBI and 20 stolen bases. He led the National League with 146 runs scored, 380 total bases, 89 extra-base hits, and a 1.014 OPS. He also recorded a career-high 109 walks to become the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs, draw 100 walks, and steal 20 bases in one season. As a pitcher, he posted a 1–1 record with a 2.87 ERA in 14 games while striking out 62 batters in 47 innings.