Shohei Ohtani Eyes Unprecedented Pitching Dominance After Historic 2025 Season

Los Angeles, CA — January 4, 2026 — Shohei Ohtani has already rewritten the record books in Major League Baseball, earning a place in the pantheon of the game’s greatest two-way players. But according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar is far from finished. In fact, Gonzalez predicts that Ohtani will do something in 2026 he has never accomplished before: win his first Cy Young Award.

At 31 years old, Ohtani has accomplished what few could even imagine. He has won multiple MVP awards, captured back-to-back World Series titles, set franchise records, and consistently mesmerized fans with his unique combination of pitching and hitting ability. Yet, Gonzalez argues, one achievement remains elusive: cementing his dominance on the mound at a level worthy of the sport’s highest pitching honor.

“He has four of those trophies now, all in a span of just five years. But there is one thing remaining for Ohtani to establish himself as the greatest baseball player ever, and that is to assert his dominance as a pitcher,” Gonzalez wrote.
“For all the praise he has received for his offensive dominance and two-way persona, Ohtani’s pitching has long been considered inferior to his hitting. Some have wondered if he should give it up entirely. This year … will be the one when Ohtani asserts his dominance on the mound like never before. By the end of it, there will be no doubt — nobody has or ever will be like Shohei Ohtani.”

A Historic 2025 Season

True or False:

Shohei Ohtani would win a Cy Young Award if he focused on just pitching. pic.twitter.com/P1G0crb8pd

— SleeperDodgers (@SleeperDodgers) December 6, 2025

Ohtani’s 2025 campaign with the Dodgers was nothing short of extraordinary. Returning to the mound after elbow surgery, he posted a 1-1 record with a 2.87 ERA over 14 starts, striking out 62 batters in 47 innings while issuing just nine walks. That performance alone would have been impressive for a full-time pitcher, but Ohtani did not stop there.

At the plate, Ohtani batted .282 with 55 home runs, setting a Dodgers franchise record, while driving in 102 RBIs and scoring 146 runs, the highest total in Major League Baseball. He also stole 20 bases, joining the elite 50/20/100 club—a feat no player had ever accomplished in a single season before.

Ohtani became the first player ever to hit 50 home runs, draw 100 walks, and steal 20 bases in one year, a combination of power, patience, and speed unprecedented in baseball history. His dominance earned him a unanimous National League MVP, his fourth overall and second consecutive award with the Dodgers, as well as a Silver Slugger and League Championship Series MVP honors, culminating in his second World Series ring.

Two-Way Excellence Redefined

Ohtani’s 2025 achievements underscore a career that has continually challenged traditional baseball norms. Since debuting as the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year with the Los Angeles Angels, he has consistently excelled as both a hitter and a pitcher. Over his MLB career, he has compiled a .282 batting average, 280 home runs, 669 RBIs, and 165 stolen bases, while accumulating a 39-20 record with 624 strikeouts as a pitcher.

No player in the modern era has come close to Ohtani’s combination of offensive and pitching output. His ability to dominate on the mound while remaining a constant threat at the plate has forced teams to rethink strategies on both sides of the ball. Pitchers and hitters alike face a dilemma: can you focus on one aspect of the game when the other could instantly punish a mistake?

Cy Young Aspirations for 2026

Despite his legendary offensive stats, Ohtani has yet to claim the Cy Young Award, the pinnacle recognition for pitchers. Gonzalez believes 2026 could be the year he achieves that milestone.

“For all the accolades he’s received for his two-way play, Ohtani has never truly asserted himself as the absolute best pitcher in the league. That changes this year,” Gonzalez said.
“Given his health, his work ethic, and the Dodgers’ elite support staff, Ohtani is poised to dominate the mound in a way the baseball world has never seen.”

The Dodgers’ coaching staff and analytics team will likely manage his innings carefully, ensuring that Ohtani can maximize his effectiveness both on the mound and at the plate. With advanced recovery protocols and strategic rest days, Ohtani has the tools to potentially pitch at an elite level all season while continuing his historic offensive contributions.

The Dodgers’ Championship Window

Ohtani’s dominance comes at a crucial time for the Dodgers. Coming off back-to-back World Series titles, Los Angeles is aiming for a three-peat. Adding a Cy Young-caliber pitching season from Ohtani would dramatically increase their chances of repeating, providing both stability and flexibility in the rotation while keeping him in the lineup as a threatening DH.

From a broader perspective, Ohtani’s potential 2026 performance could shift the trajectory of Major League Baseball history. Winning the Cy Young while maintaining his MVP-level offensive production would make him the first true two-way player in modern MLB to reach this pinnacle, permanently solidifying his case as one of the greatest players of all time.

Fan and Media Expectations

Ohtani’s unique skill set has already captured the imagination of fans worldwide, and expectations are sky-high for the upcoming season. Dodgers fans anticipate electric at-bats, highlight-reel home runs, and strikeout-packed starts. Analysts, meanwhile, are debating whether he can maintain his 2025 form or surpass it in both categories.

If he succeeds, Ohtani’s 2026 season won’t just be about individual accolades; it will redefine how the sport views the two-way player. Young athletes may now see that pitching and hitting excellence aren’t mutually exclusive, potentially sparking a new generation of two-way stars.

Conclusion

Shohei Ohtani enters 2026 at the pinnacle of his career, armed with experience, health, and a renewed drive to dominate as a pitcher. After a historic 2025 season that set records, earned awards, and brought another World Series title, he stands on the precipice of an even greater achievement: the Cy Young Award.

If he accomplishes it, Ohtani won’t just be remembered as a great hitter or a dominant pitcher — he will be celebrated as a once-in-a-generation talent, a player who changed the way baseball is played and understood. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, and for baseball fans everywhere, the 2026 season could very well be the year Shohei Ohtani ascends to an entirely new level.