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. Ohtani's exceptional performance in both hitting and pitching has led to comparisons with Babe Ruth and has established his prime seasons as some of the greatest in baseball history. He is considered a unique and impactful player in modern baseball.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1975: Morgan's MVP and World Series win

In 1975-1976 Joe Morgan won an MVP Award and the World Series in back-to-back seasons.

2003: Matsui's World Series Home Run

In 2003, Hideki Matsui hit a home run in the World Series, one of only two Japanese-born players to do so.

2004: Hideki Matsui's Home Run Record

In 2004, Hideki Matsui set the record for the most home runs hit during a season by a Japanese-born player in MLB, a record that stood until Shohei Ohtani surpassed it in 2021.

2004: Johan Santana's Cy Young Season

In 2004, Johan Santana had a Cy Young-winning season, going 6-0 with 58+ strikeouts and allowing 2 or fewer earned runs in a six-game span.

2006: Tadahito Iguchi's 7-RBI Game

In 2006, Tadahito Iguchi had a 7-RBI game.

August 21, 2007: Garret Anderson's 10-RBI Game

On August 21, 2007, Garret Anderson had a franchise-record 10 RBIs against the New York Yankees.

2009: Matsui's 7-RBI Game

In 2009, Matsui had a 7-RBI game.

September 2012: Chase Headley's Player of the Month Awards

In September 2012, Chase Headley was the last player before Shohei Ohtani in July 2021 to win back-to-back Player of the Month Awards in either league.

October 21, 2012: Decision to Pursue MLB

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

2012: Ohtani plays in U-18 Baseball World Cup

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

2012: R.A. Dickey's Cy Young Season

In 2012, R.A. Dickey had a Cy Young-winning season, going 6-0 with 58+ strikeouts and allowing 2 or fewer earned runs in a six-game span.

2012: First Pick in NPB Draft

In 2012, Shohei Ohtani was the first pick of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the NPB draft, recognized early on as an elite two-way player.

2012: 99 mph Fastball

In 2012, as an 18-year-old high school pitcher, Shohei Ohtani 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: Joins the Fighters

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

July 2014: Fastest Pitch Record and Charity Auction

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. His jersey from the game sold for 1.75 million yen at a charity auction.

2014: Clayton Kershaw's Cy Young Season

In 2014, Clayton Kershaw had a Cy Young-winning season, going 6-0 with 58+ strikeouts and allowing 2 or fewer earned runs in a six-game span.

2014: Garrett Richards' Pitching Performance

In 2014, Garrett Richards recorded 110 K's in the first half of the season for the Angels.

2015: Ohtani in WBSC Premier12 Tournament

In 2015, Ohtani earned a bronze medal with Team Japan in the inaugural WBSC Premier12 tournament, being named to the Premier12 All-World Team and the World Baseball Softball Confederation Baseball Player of the Year.

2015: Dominance in Premier 12

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

2015: 2015 Season Performance

In 2015, Shohei Ohtani's third professional season, his performance on the mound was among the best in the league, earning him the starter role in the 2015 All-Star Game and the pitching spot in the end-of-year Pacific League Best Nine awards.

2016: Dominant Season and Pacific League MVP

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani had a dominant season, hitting 22 home runs and achieving a career-low ERA of 1.86 as a pitcher. He also won the Best Nine award as both a designated hitter and a pitcher, and won the Pacific League MVP.

2016: Japan Series

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani led Nippon Ham to the Japan Series. The team won their second Japan Series title. Teammate Brandon Laird won the Series MVP.

2016: Ankle Injury in Japan Series

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani suffered an ankle injury during the Japan Series. The injury later impacted his participation in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and restricted his playing time during the 2017 season.

2016: Pacific League MVP Award

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani won the Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award with 253 of 254 first-place votes, totaling 1,268 vote points. He also made the Best Nine as both top pitcher and top DH in the PL, becoming the first player to achieve this dual recognition.

November 21, 2017: MLB and NPB Posting Agreement

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 play in MLB for the 2018 season.

December 9, 2017: Signs with 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: Ohtani withdraws from World Baseball Classic

In 2017, Ohtani was on Team Japan's roster for the World Baseball Classic but withdrew due to an ankle injury.

2017: CAA Sports Representation

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

September 2018: Last Pitching Appearance Before Injury

Shohei Ohtani made his last pitching appearance in September 2018 before an injury sidelined him.

2018: AL Rookie of the Year Award

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

2018: MLB Spring Training Debut

In 2018, Shohei Ohtani's MLB spring training debut was met with disappointment from American news sources due to poor performance. However, by the end of the regular season, the media acknowledged they had underestimated him.

2018: Relaxation of Ohtani Rules

In the 2018 season and later, the Angels and Ohtani agreed to allow him to play without limitations or restrictions and drop the "Ohtani Rules".

2018: Planned MLB Debut

Shohei Ohtani was planning to play in the MLB in 2018.

May 7, 2019: First Game After Tommy John Surgery

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

2019: Offseason Overhaul

After the results of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Ohtani spent the offseason overhauling himself and his training regimen.

2020: Offseason Overhaul

After the results of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Ohtani spent the offseason overhauling himself and his training regimen.

2020: Mookie Betts' Arbitration Deal

In 2020, Mookie Betts received $27 million before the 2020 season.

2020: COVID-19 Impacted Season

In 2020, the MLB season was delayed until July 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 24, Ohtani was the first automatic player on second base in an official MLB game. He returned to pitching on July 26, but experienced arm discomfort, leading to a flexor strain diagnosis and his shutdown from pitching for the remainder of the season.

November 16, 2021: FTX Global Ambassador

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

2021: Excellent Baserunner Skills

During the 2021 season, Shohei Ohtani demonstrated elite baserunner skills, with a sprint speed and feet-first sliding technique allowing him to have been a league leader in stolen bases, bunt hits and infield-hit rate. His 28.8 feet per second (19.6 mph) sprint speed ranked in the 92nd percentile of all players, as did his 3.51 second 80-foot split and 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 33 Home Runs in 2021

In 2021, Ohtani hit 33 home runs.

2021: Ohtani's 2021 Salary

In 2021, Ohtani's salary was $3 million.

2021: Ohtani's Strikeout Record in 2021

In 2021, Ohtani's total strikeouts was 156.

2021: Ohtani's Historic 2021 Season

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani achieved two Guinness World Records, becoming the first MLB player with 100+ innings pitched, 100+ strikeouts as a pitcher, and 100+ RBIs, hits, and runs as a batter in a single season. He also became the first player to start the MLB All-Star Game as a pitcher and designated hitter. Commissioner Rob Manfred awarded him the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award, recognizing his unprecedented 2021 season. Ohtani declined Japan's People's Honor Award. The Sporting News ranked Ohtani's 2021 season as the greatest in sports history.

2021: AL MVP and Historic Achievement Award

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani hit 46 home runs, struck out 156 batters, and won his first AL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP). He also received the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award for his unprecedented two-way season.

2021: American League MVP and Other Awards

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani was unanimously voted the American League Most Valuable Player, becoming the 23rd pitcher and first designated hitter to win the award. He received many other awards, including being named to both First and Second All-MLB teams and winning the Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.

2021: MLB League-Leading Endorsement Earnings

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

2021: Two-Year Contract with the Angels

On February 8, 2021, Shohei Ohtani agreed to a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, avoiding arbitration. On July 7, Ohtani surpassed Hideki Matsui's record for the most home runs hit by a Japanese-born player in MLB, hitting his 32nd home run of the year. Ohtani was selected as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher. He participated in the 2021 Home Run Derby on July 12.

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

On March 22, 2022, Major League Baseball introduced the "Ohtani rule", allowing a pitcher to remain as a designated hitter after being pulled from the mound. The Angels named Ohtani the Opening Day starting pitcher, making him the first player in MLB history to start Opening Day as both pitcher and leadoff hitter.

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

On July 6, 2022, against the Miami Marlins, Shohei Ohtani made MLB history, 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, in a game against the Oakland Athletics, Shohei Ohtani joined Babe Ruth in an exclusive 10-homer, 10-win club. He also moved up on the all-time home run list for Japanese-born players, surpassing Ichiro Suzuki, and set a single-season career high in strikeouts.

2022: Ohtani's 2022 Salary

In 2022, Ohtani's salary was $5.5 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 one season, finishing third in the AL with 219 strikeouts as a pitcher.

2022: MLB: The Show Cover Athlete

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

2022: MLB League-Leading Endorsement Earnings

In 2022, Shohei Ohtani's endorsement earnings were an MLB league-leading $20 million, which tripled from the previous year.

2022: Ohtani's Historic Two-Game Span

In a two-game span from June 21-22, 2022, Shohei Ohtani became the first player in AL or NL history to have at least eight RBIs in a game and strike out at least 10 batters the next day.

2022: Ohtani's Performance in 2022

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

2022: Ohtani's All-Star Game Participation in 2022

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

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

Shohei Ohtani was named AL Player of the Week for the fifth time in his career after a strong performance from June 12 to 18, 2023, including a win as starting pitcher on June 15, 2023, against the Texas Rangers. The honor tied him with Suzuki for the most by a Japanese-born player.

July 2, 2023: Ohtani Surpasses Suzuki for AL Player of the Week

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

August 2023: Ohtani's Last Pitching Appearance Before Injury

August 2023 was the last time Ohtani pitched before his injury and eventual return to the mound in June 2025.

September 2023: Ohtani's elbow surgery

In September 2023, Shohei Ohtani underwent elbow surgery, leading to the announcement with the Dodgers that he would not pitch in the 2024 season.

December 11, 2023: Ohtani Signs with the Los Angeles 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 included deferred payments from 2034 to 2043, with Ohtani receiving $2 million per season from 2024 to 2033.

2023: Ohtani wins World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Ohtani played for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, earning the Pool B MVP and the tournament's MVP award after winning the championship game.

2023: Ohtani's Achievements in 2023 Season

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani batted .304/.412/.654 with 44 home runs, 95 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. He became the first Japanese-born player to lead a U.S. major league in home runs, capturing the American League title with 44 home runs. Ohtani also led the league with a wins above replacement (WAR) value of 10.1.

2023: Ohtani Elected to 2023 All-Star Roster

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani earned an automatic spot on the 2023 All-Star roster as the leading vote-getter in the American League All-Star ballot and was elected as an All-Star pitcher for the American League. He opted to participate only as a hitter due to a blister.

2023: 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. He secured a 3–2 win against the United States by striking out Mike Trout.

2023: Ohtani Wins Second Unanimous MVP Award in 2023

In 2023, 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 several other awards and became a free agent after the 2023 season.

2023: Second AL MVP and Dodgers Contract

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

2023: MLB League-Leading Endorsement Earnings

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

2023: All-WBC Team Selection

In 2023, after helping Japan win the World Baseball Classic, Shohei Ohtani was the first player named to the All-WBC team at two positions: designated hitter (DH) and pitcher.

2023: Ohtani Passes Babe Ruth on Strikeout List

In 2023, fresh off being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship, Shohei Ohtani made his second straight Opening Day start. On May 10, he passed Babe Ruth on the all-time strikeout list and set the record for most pitching strikeouts by a player with 100 home runs.

2023: Ohtani's $30 Million Deal

On October 1, 2023, the Angels signed Shohei Ohtani to a one-year deal worth $30 million for the 2023 season, setting a new record for a player in his third year of arbitration.

2023: Top Jersey Sales

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

2024: Ohtani Wins National League MVP

After the 2024 season, Ohtani won the National League Most Valuable Player award unanimously, marking his third career unanimous MVP award, second consecutive unanimous MVP award, and his first in the National League.

2024: Ohtani's Salary from 2024-2033

From 2024 to 2033, Ohtani's salary will be $2 million per season.

2024: Ohtani's debut as designated hitter

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: NL MVP and World Series Win

In 2024, Shohei Ohtani, unable to pitch due to injury recovery, played only as a DH for the Dodgers. He was unanimously named the 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 in his first MLB postseason appearance.

2024: Ohtani Will Not Pitch in 2024

It was revealed that 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 record for home runs in a month

In May 2025, Ohtani tied the Dodgers record for home runs in a month with 15 and was named the NL Player of the Month.

2025: Estimated Endorsement Earnings

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

2025: Ohtani in the Postseason

In 2025, Ohtani had multiple notable performances in the postseason, including two home runs in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series and setting MLB records in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, leading to him being named the 2025 NLCS MVP.

2025: Second Consecutive NL MVP and World Series Win

In 2025, Shohei Ohtani returned to pitching and set a Dodgers franchise record with 55 home runs, winning his second consecutive NL MVP unanimously. He was named the 2025 NLCS MVP en route to capturing back-to-back championships in the 2025 World Series.

2025: Fortnite Addition

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

2025: Ohtani's 2025 Season Stats

In the 2025 season, Ohtani batted .282 with 55 home runs, 102 RBI, and 20 stolen bases, leading the National League in several categories. As a pitcher, he posted a 1-1 record with a 2.87 ERA.

2026: World Baseball Classic

In 2026, Shohei Ohtani played for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic strictly as the designated hitter. In the opening game against Chinese Taipei, he went 3–for–4 with a grand slam and five RBIs, setting a record for the most RBIs (5) in a single inning in WBC history. His strong offensive production during the group stage helped Japan secure an undefeated record in Pool C and advance to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinal against Venezuela, Ohtani hit a game-tying leadoff home run, but Venezuela overcame an early deficit to eliminate Japan from contention.