Shohei Ohtani, the baseball phenomenon, has evidently captivated fans with his ability to dominate both as a pitcher and a hitter. While his dominance as a pitcher and a hitter has not been a secret, the newfound power in just hitting (in 2024) has been a calendar of new records for Ohtani. Fresh off a historic season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, questions swirl about his future. Should ‘Shotime’ focus solely on hitting, instead of going back to pitching next year? 

There’s a lot of discussion on Ohtani’s offensive potential. In a recent talk posted on YouTube by VS Entertainment, the MLB insider shared, “We’re really happy about [his pitching], but I just looked at his last two years as a hitter…he wasn’t just a power guy, he was starting to be a complete hitter.”  Well, he is not the only one who believes that Ohtani, “entering his prime as a hitter,” could have a career-defining season if he focuses solely on batting.

Shohei Ohtani’s batting prowess makes MLB wonder if he should go back to pitching

But first off, the focus isn’t just on home runs. Many folks from MLB have highlighted Ohtani’s evolving skills. “He has a little more to his swing with two strikes…putting the ball in play, using his speed…now he’s comfortable, man. The Best Is Yet To Come.”  Can one even think of a player known for his prodigious power and also developing a well-rounded hitting repertoire? Now isn’t that going to be a nightmare for opposing pitchers?

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It is not only the Dodgers but also other MLB stakeholders who are bullish on Ohtani’s hitting potential. The pressure of surpassing Dave Roberts’ Dodgers’ home run record seems to have lifted, while he paves the way for a potential offensive explosion. Ohtani is resolute on breaking more records as he is “going to really separate himself” from Roberts now that the record is his.

A couple of days ago MLB posted an article that covered Dave Roberts’ comment when he was made aware that Ohtani now knew the details of his record. On a lighter note, the Dodgers skipper said, “I still got a couple days until my record’s broke”.

What will the Dodgers’ star’s decision be?

Ohtani’s pitching prowess is undeniable and perhaps he even wants to get back to the mound as soon as he completely recovers from the elbow procedure. However, recovering from his elbow injury will be a crucial factor. Focusing solely on hitting might be tempting, however, some fans yearn to see the return of the dominant pitcher they once knew.

The debate is still on. Will Ohtani prioritize his ever-improving hitting or attempt a pitching comeback? Only time will tell. But in the meantime, one thing is certain – baseball fans eagerly await Ohtani’s decision, ready to witness what steps he takes further about getting back to pitching.