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, currently a designated hitter and pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB. Previously playing for the Los Angeles Angels and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in NPB, Ohtani is known as "Shotime." He is celebrated for his exceptional abilities as both a hitter and a pitcher, a rare feat that designates him as a two-way player. His peak seasons are considered historically significant, earning comparisons to Babe Ruth's early career due to his unparalleled contributions to the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1950: Junzo Sekine and Osamu Takechi's Feats

In 1950, Junzo Sekine was the first rookie hurler to bat 3rd, 4th, or 5th, and Osamu Takechi was the first player to start a game as a pitcher, bat in the heart of the order, and get a hit and an RBI in that game.

1951: Kikuo Tokunaga's Two-Way Play

In 1951, Kikuo Tokunaga became the first Nippon Pro Baseball (NPB) rookie drafted out of high school the previous year to be used as both a pitcher and position player.

1963: Takao Kajimoto Batting Record

In 1963, Takao Kajimoto became the first NPB pitcher since 1963 to bat 3rd, 4th, or 5th.

1967: Toshiaki Moriyasu's Shutout Victory

In 1967, Toshiaki Moriyasu became the first pitcher out of high school to record a 1-0 shutout victory within his first two years for the Fighters.

2001: Daisuke Matsuzaka's Salary Milestone

In 2001, Daisuke Matsuzaka became the first player out of high school in NPB history to reach 100M yen in salary in his third year.

2006: Fastest to join the 40-40 Club

In 2006, Alfonso Soriano set the record of the fastest player to join the 40-40 club. Ohtani broke this record by 21 games.

October 21, 2012: Announcement to Pursue MLB Career

On October 21, 2012, Shohei Ohtani announced his intention to pursue a career in Major League Baseball (MLB) rather than turning professional in Japan.

2012: U-18 Baseball World Cup

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

2012: First Pick in the NPB Draft

In 2012, Shohei Ohtani was the first pick of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) draft, recognized as an elite two-way player early in his career.

2012: High School Fastball Record

In 2012, Shohei Ohtani, as an 18-year-old high school pitcher, threw a 99 mph fastball, setting a Japanese high school baseball record at the time.

March 29, 2013: Fighters Debut

On March 29, 2013, Shohei Ohtani made his debut at age 18 in the Fighters' season-opening game, playing as a right fielder.

2013: Relationship with Ippei Mizuhara Begins

In 2013, Ohtani's relationship with Ippei Mizuhara began during Ohtani's days with the Fighters, where Mizuhara served as his personal interpreter.

2013: Joins the Fighters

In 2013, Shohei Ohtani began playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, showcasing his skills as both a pitcher and an outfielder.

July 2014: Fastest Pitch Record

During the July 2014 All-Star Game, Shohei Ohtani threw a 101 mph fastball, setting a new record for the fastest official pitch thrown by a Japanese pitcher.

2015: WBSC Premier12 Tournament

In 2015, Ohtani earned a bronze medal with the Japanese national team at the inaugural WBSC Premier12 tournament. He was also named to the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation All-World Team and was named the 2015 WBSC Baseball Player of the Year.

2015: All-Star Game and Season Performance

In 2015, Shohei Ohtani started the NPB All-Star Game, finishing the season with a 15-5 record, a 2.24 ERA, and 196 strikeouts, earning the Best Nine award as the PL's top hurler.

2015: Premier 12 Dominance

In 2015, Shohei Ohtani was dominant for the Japanese national team in the Premier 12. He was named the All-Star SP for the event.

2016: Japan Series Title

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani contributed to Nippon Ham's Japan Series victory with strong offensive performance, hitting .375/.412/.625 and scoring the winning run in Game 3.

2016: Dominant Pitching and Hitting Season

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani excelled both as a hitter and pitcher. He hit 22 home runs, batted .322, and had a 1.86 ERA as a pitcher, winning the Best Nine award as a pitcher and designated hitter, and was named the Pacific League MVP. He set a new NPB record by hitting 102.5 mph.

2016: Awards and MVP

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani received the Best Nine award as both top pitcher and top DH in the PL, and he was the runaway winner of the 2016 Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award.

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

On November 21, 2017, Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) reached a posting agreement that would allow Shohei Ohtani to play in MLB.

December 9, 2017: Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels

On December 9, 2017, Shohei Ohtani officially signed a deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

2017: Posted to MLB

After the 2017 season, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters posted Shohei Ohtani to Major League Baseball (MLB).

2017: Representation by Nez Balelo

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

2017: Withdrawal from World Baseball Classic

In 2017, Ohtani was selected for the Japan National Baseball Team of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, but had to withdraw due to an ankle injury.

July 7, 2018: MLB Record since 2018

On July 7, 2018, Ohtani became the first MLB player since July 7, 2018 to reach 10 or more RBI in a single game.

September 2018: Ohtani makes first pitching appearance since September 2018

In September 2018, Shohei Ohtani made his first pitching appearance since September 2018, pitching against the Oakland Athletics.

2018: AL Rookie of the Year Award

In 2018, Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels and subsequently won the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award.

May 7, 2019: Ohtani returns to the Angels after Tommy John surgery

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

2020: Mookie Betts Receives $27 Million Before 2020 Season

Before the 2020 season, Mookie Betts received $27 million.

November 16, 2021: Partnership with FTX

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

2021: Endorsement Earnings in 2021

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

2021: Ohtani selected as All-Star as both player and pitcher

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani became the first player to be selected as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher.

2021: Ohtani Enters All-Star Game with 33 Home Runs

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani entered the All-Star Game with 33 home runs.

2021: AL MVP Award

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani had a statistically unprecedented two-way season, hitting 46 home runs and striking out 156 batters, which led to him winning his first AL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) and being bestowed with the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award.

2021: Baserunning Skills in 2021

In the 2021 season, Ohtani demonstrated elite baserunner skills, ranking in the 92nd percentile of all players for sprint speed. He also recorded the fastest home to first average sprint time in the Majors at 4.09 seconds, while recording a then career-high 26 stolen bases.

2021: Ohtani's Salary in 2021

Ohtani's salary in 2021 was $3 million.

March 22, 2022: MLB introduces the "Ohtani rule"

On March 22, 2022, Major League Baseball introduced a new rule that allows a pitcher in the batting order to remain in the game as a designated hitter after being removed from the pitching mound. This rule was colloquially named the "Ohtani rule".

July 6, 2022: Ohtani Makes MLB History Against the Marlins

On July 6, 2022, against the Miami Marlins, Shohei Ohtani made MLB history 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 steal a base, all in a single game. Ohtani's 111 strikeouts over 81 innings pitched in the game made him the first Angels pitcher to record 110 strikeouts in the first half in fewer than 100 innings and the first Angels pitcher to 110 strikeouts in the first half since Garrett Richards in 2014.

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

On August 9, 2022, Shohei Ohtani completed three historical feats in a game against the Oakland Athletics. Ohtani joined Babe Ruth in an exclusive 10-homer, 10-win club; moved up on the all-time home run list for Japanese-born players; and set a single-season career high in strikeouts. Ohtani earned his 10th win of the season, and his 25th home run of the season was his 118th career home run, surpassing Ichiro Suzuki's 117 career home runs. Ohtani's five strikeouts in the game brought him to 157 on the season, a new single-season high eclipsing his 2021 total of 156.

October 1, 2022: Ohtani Signs $30 Million Deal for 2023

On October 1, 2022, Shohei Ohtani avoided arbitration by signing a one-year deal worth $30 million for the 2023 season. At $30 million, the deal set a new record for a player in their third year of arbitration, surpassing the $27 million Mookie Betts received before the 2020 season.

2022: Ohtani Makes MLB History with RBI and Strikeout Feats

Between June 21–22, 2022, Shohei Ohtani became the first player in the American or National League to have at least eight RBIs in a game followed by striking out at least 10 batters the next day. On June 21, 2022, Ohtani hit two three-run homers and achieved a career-high of eight RBIs, becoming the first Japanese-born player to reach eight RBIs in a single game and only the eighth player in Angels history to do so.

2022: Brand Ambassador in 2022

In 2022, Ohtani became a brand ambassador for Kowa, Mitsubishi Bank, Japan Airlines, Salesforce, Porsche Japan and Fanatics. Ohtani was also the first Asian player to be a cover athlete of MLB The Show in 2022.

2022: Endorsement Earnings in 2022

In 2022, Ohtani's endorsement earnings were an MLB league-leading $20 million.

2022: 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, finishing third in the AL with 219 strikeouts.

2022: Ohtani Participates as Hitter in All-Star Game

Like 2022, Ohtani opted to participate only as a hitter in the All-Star Game and not pitch due to a blister.

2022: Ohtani's 2022 Season Performance

Shohei Ohtani concluded his 2022 season with a 15–9 record, a 2.33 ERA, and 219 strikeouts in 166 innings. He also achieved a batting average of .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, 30 doubles, 11 stolen bases, and 95 RBIs in 157 games. Ohtani was named as both the Los Angeles Angels Player and Pitcher of the Year, won a second straight Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, and was runner-up for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.

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

Shohei Ohtani was named AL Player of the Week for the fifth time in his career after hitting six home runs, going .435 (10-for-23), 12 RBIs, 10 walks and a 1.893 OPS over seven games from June 12 to 18, 2023, and picking up a win as starting pitcher on June 15, 2023, against the Texas Rangers.

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

On July 2, 2023, Shohei Ohtani won his sixth career AL Player of the Week award and his third career American League Player of the Month for June, surpassing Suzuki for the most by a Japanese-born player.

August 19, 2023: Ohtani Records Second Career Grand Slam

On August 19, 2023, Shohei Ohtani recorded his second career grand slam and his 43rd home run in a loss against the Rays.

August 23, 2023: Ohtani's Season Cut Short by UCL Tear

On August 23, 2023, Shohei Ohtani was removed from his start against the Cincinnati Reds and 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.

September 2023: Ohtani Undergoes Elbow Surgery in September 2023

Because of his elbow injury and consequent surgery in September 2023, Ohtani and the Dodgers announced that he would not pitch in the 2024 season.

December 11, 2023: Ohtani Signs Historic Contract with Dodgers

On December 11, 2023, Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, making it the largest contract in professional sports history at the time.

2023: All-WBC Team Selection

After helping Team Japan secure its third WBC title, Ohtani became the only player to be named to the All-WBC team at two separate positions in 2023, as both a designated hitter and a pitcher.

2023: Ohtani Passes Babe Ruth on All-Time Strikeout List

Fresh off being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Shohei Ohtani passed Babe Ruth on the all-time strikeout list and set the record for most pitching strikeouts by a player with 100 home runs on May 10.

2023: New Deals in 2023

In 2023, Ohtani added two new endorsement deals with New Balance and Japanese cosmetics company Kosé.

2023: World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Ohtani played for the Japan National Baseball Team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He was named the Pool B MVP and earned the save in the championship game, leading Japan to victory over the US. He was also named the tournament's MVP.

2023: Endorsement Earnings in 2023

In 2023, Ohtani's endorsement earnings were estimated to be an MLB league-leading $35–40 million.

2023: Ohtani Earns Spot on 2023 All-Star Roster

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani earned an automatic spot on the All-Star roster after being the leading vote-getter in the American League All-Star ballot and was also elected as an All-Star pitcher for the American League.

2023: Ohtani Signs $30 Million Deal for 2023 Season

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani signed a one-year deal worth $30 million, setting a new record for a player in their third year of arbitration.

2023: Ohtani Named AL MVP and Wins Other Awards

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani was unanimously voted the American League Most Valuable Player for the second time and named to the All-MLB Team as both a designated hitter and starting pitcher. 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. Additionally, Ohtani was once again the Los Angeles Angels Player of the Year.

2023: Second AL MVP Award and Contract with the Dodgers

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani won his second AL MVP, leading the league with 44 home runs and achieving 10 wins as a pitcher. After the 2023 season, he signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2023: Ohtani's 2023 Regular Season Achievements

Shohei Ohtani ended the 2023 regular season as the first Japanese-born player to lead a U.S. major league in home runs, capturing the American League title with 44 home runs.

2024: National League MVP Award

After the 2024 season, Ohtani was awarded the National League Most Valuable Player award unanimously. This was his third career unanimous MVP award and first in the National League. He also became the second player after Frank Robinson to win MVP awards in both leagues.

2024: Ohtani Not to Pitch in 2024

Because of his elbow injury and consequent surgery in September 2023, Ohtani would not pitch in the 2024 season.

2024: National League MVP and World Series Win

In 2024, while recovering from an elbow injury and playing as a DH for the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani became the first MLB player to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season and was unanimously named the National League MVP. He also won the 2024 World Series.

2024: Ohtani Debuts as a Dodger

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

2025: Estimated Endorsement Earnings in 2025

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

2025: Second Year with the Dodgers

In 2025, Ohtani started his second year with the Dodgers as the designated hitter on March 18 against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, as part of the MLB Tokyo Series 2025. Later in the season, on May 27, 2025, Ohtani became the first player to reach 20 home runs in the 2025 MLB season.

2025: Fortnite Appearance in 2025

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

2034: Deferred Payments to Begin in 2034

Shohei Ohtani's $68 million per season from his Dodgers contract will be deferred until after the deal's conclusion, to be paid out beginning in 2034.