Shohei Ohtani hit his 20th home run of the season on Tuesday night against the Cleveland Guardians. He became the first player in baseball to reach that mark and is looking like he will be fighting for his fourth career MVP Award when the end of the season comes.
Shohei Ohtani, your MLB leader in homers with 20! pic.twitter.com/HEyWKBmreF
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 27, 2025
Ohtani’s three previous MVP seasons have all featured monster home run numbers. In 2021, he hit 46 home runs. In 2023, he hit an American League best 44 home runs. Last season, he hit a National League best 54 home runs. This year, he is already at 20 through 53 games.
In his first MVP season, he had 15 home runs through 53 games. In 2023, he had 12 home runs in his first 53 games for the Los Angeles Angels. Last season, he had just 13 home runs through 53 games. He is off to a stronger start in that department, but his other MVP seasons all had a special element that this season seems to be lacking, so far.
In his first two MVP seasons, Ohtani was also pitching for the Angels. In 2021, he had a 3.18 ERA in 23 starts. In 2023, he pitched to a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts. Last season, he did not pitch, but became the founding member of the 50-50 club. The reality is, Ohtani’s greatness at the plate is becoming an expectation, which is why it’s not the least bit surprising that he is the first player in baseball to reach 20 home runs. He has 11 stolen bags, after stealing 13 through 53 games last year.
His numbers across the board are stellar and worthy of MVP talk. He is slashing .296/.396/.657. His slugging and OPS are the best in the National League. There is still plenty of season left to play, but that special element of Ohtani’s season is on the way.
He could very well get to 50-50 again, but this time while pitching as well. Ohtani started facing batters recently as he looks to make his much-anticipated return to the mound. If Ohtani dominates on the mound while also posting a historic season at the plate, he should run away with another MVP Award.
