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Professional baseball has seen thousands of athletes in its 150-year history. However, none compares to Shohei Ohtani. The Mizusawa, Japan, native has taken the MLB by storm in less than a decade of playing. So, is Shohei Ohtani the GOAT? The debate is just getting started. Here is a deep dive into baseball lore.
Why Shohei Ohtani Is Already the GOAT
Are back-to-back World Series and MVP trophies enough to call him the GOAT? Here are four reasons why it’s a valid argument.
1. Immense Talent
Shohei Ohtani is the greatest talent in the sport’s history. That take is less controversial because of his physical attributes and baseball skills. The Los Angeles Dodgers star stands tall at 6’3” and weighs 210 pounds. However, it’s hard to understand just how physically imposing he is unless you see him in person.
It’s rare to see a player who can pitch and hit. Put it in perspective by thinking about Greg Maddux and other star pitchers throughout baseball. The MLB used to force aces into the batting lineup, leading to poor outings. Ohtani flips the script by being excellent on both sides.
2. Two-Way Dominance
Being a two-way player is insufficient for Ohtani — he’s elite on the mound and in the batter’s box. The Dodgers pitcher has accumulated 670 strikeouts for his career while winning 39 of 59 games. Winning 66% of games is an elite mark that most pitchers only dream of doing.
As it turns out, the guy also hits really well. Ohtani has accumulated 280 home runs in his career, with 2020 cut short due to the pandemic. He’s already at the 1,000-hit mark, with 669 RBI behind him. He’s liable to hit any ball outside the park, making him a valuable asset.
3. Unicorn Stats
During the MLB season, baseball fans are hit with Ohtani stats nearly every week. He impresses you by hitting multiple home runs in a game and stealing multiple bases. It’s even more impressive when he accomplishes a specific stat line. Here are a few examples.
- July 7, 2023: Ohtani dominated a doubleheader by hitting two home runs and pitching a one-hit shutout.
- Sept. 19, 2024: He became the first player to go 6-6 with three home runs, 10 RBI and two stolen bases.
- June 13, 2019: Ohtani hit a cycle against the Tampa Bay Rays. In baseball, this feat includes hitting a single, double, triple and a home run in the same game.
4. Level of Competition
Professional athletes have gotten better over time in every sport. Shohei Ohtani is the GOAT because his level of competition is exceptional. His primary competition in the debate is guys like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Ty Cobb. While those guys were talented, their opponents could be better.
Modern players benefit from year-round training and superior nutrition habits. They also have data-driven analytics to deliver precise training needs. The old-timers used to smoke and drink heavily while showing little regard for their diets. For instance, Babe Ruth wolfed down hot dogs and sodas instead of salads and water.
Why He Still Needs Time to Climb the Ladder
Calling somebody the best while they’re still playing is a generous compliment. However, it’s not always deserved. Here are four reasons why baseball fans need to hold their horses when asking whether Shohei Ohtani is the GOAT.
Longevity Questions
Being the all-time best requires a long career with complete dominance — just ask LeBron James or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in basketball debates. Ohtani is behind the 8-ball because he played five seasons of professional baseball in Japan. It’s unlikely he would’ve made his MLB debut as a teenager. However, he might’ve been good enough.
The MLB greats have long careers. Right now, it’s up in the air how long Ohtani will pitch. The Japanese superstar will be 32 in July, and he’s already had Tommy John surgery twice. Pitchers are hardly the same after this operation, much less after a second time.
Defensive Distribution
Baseball requires most athletes to play both sides of the ball. Designated hitters are the only exception, and their existence is relatively short. Ohtani has been a DH for basically his whole career, allowing him to thrive as a hitter. However, his pitching has slowed since the 2025 season.
If Ohtani’s pitching role is reduced, that hurts his legacy. It’s tough for a DH to be on the all-time list — even Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz aren’t there. Nobody is asking Ohtani to play catcher like Ivan Rodriguez, but he’ll need to continue having decent pitching seasons.
Playoff Performances
It’s time to talk about Ohtani’s playoff performance. When the postseason arrives, his stats are underwhelming. Unfortunately, he sets the bar too high for himself, leading to heightened criticism. The 2024 MLB Playoffs were his first, and they were less than spectacular. He mustered only two hits in the World Series and finished with a .105 batting average.
The good news is he rebounded in the 2025 MLB Playoffs. Through 17 games, Ohtani hit eight home runs and had 14 RBI. His batting average and slugging percentage both increased year-over-year. Now, he’ll just need to prove his excellence with a few more great performances.
Lacking WAR
Wins above replacement (WAR) is among the best stats to gauge a baseball player. This metric tells you his actual value by aggregating offense, defense and base-running abilities. It even contextualizes based on league, position and the specific ballparks played in. Unfortunately, Ohtani might be too far behind.
If you judge all-time players by this metric, Ohtani will have a tough time. Ruth is by far the best, boasting a 182.6 WAR for his career. Walter Johnson, Cy Young and Barry Bonds are all above 160. Ohtani is at just 51.5 as he enters the 2026 season. It’s unlikely he’ll ever catch Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron or other all-time greats. He’ll have to play at an elite level into his 40s.
Judging Whether Shohei Ohtani Is the Goat
The GOAT debate in any sport is subjective. Baseball, especially, has so many legends, making it hard to pick just one guy. However, Shohei Ohtani deserves a spot in the conversation because he’s a unicorn. The Dodgers star is the most unique player since Ruth pitched and batted early in his career. While he still has time to collect accolades, Ohtani is firmly in the conversation.
