The world now knows Shohei Ohtani as a generational two-way phenom. It feels almost inevitable now. However, back in Japan, when Ohtani began his professional baseball career, the idea of him being on both sides of the ball wasn’t embraced by many. He was either seen as a pitcher or a hitter—never both. Surprising, but true. But thanks to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, they made sure Ohtani got the opportunity to be a two-way player.

That league wasn’t habitual with watching players defy positional boundaries. So, it was quite a bold experiment. But that’s what eventually shaped Ohtani’s future.

Turning to today, it’s the same sense of two-way greatness that has transformed Ohtani into a global phenomenon. However, very early in his MLB journey, he was inches away from losing his chance to be a dual threat. That said, recently, Angels insider Jeff Fletcher has revealed something shocking about Ohtani.

“When he (Ohtani) first came to the US, people didn’t think he was a hitter. They said, ‘He’s just a pitcher. He’s not going to make it as a hitter. Come on, this is ridiculous.’ And you know if he would have originally signed with the Dodgers out of high school, he never would’ve been a hitter.” Apparently, MLB teams, including the Dodgers, were after the two-way phenom, but just for his pitching.

You know what that means. He’d just be limited to the mound, not the batter’s box. Even the league would have missed the chance to witness the modern-day Babe Ruth.

Fletcher continued, “What he did with the Angels in 2021, 2022, and 2023—where he was a full-time pitcher and a full-time DH—was unlike anything that any of us on this planet have ever seen in baseball.” He mentioned that those years were the ones when Ohtani won the league with his charm. In fact, he earned not one but two AL MVP awards. After all, he excelled both as a hitter and a pitcher.

Precisely, in 2021, he started earning Babe Ruth comparisons for his two-way greatness. That’s when he hit over 30 home runs as well as made a minimum of 10 pitching starts.

Even after etching his name in history, oftentimes, he’s compared to the New York Yankees’ star and captain, Aaron Judge, as a hitter. Fletcher drew this comparison and pointed out, “When Ohtani just hits, he’s not really unique.” Wait till you hear his reasoning.

“As a hitter, he’s not even as good as Aaron Judge. Judge plays the outfield, so [Ohtani’s] just another really good hitter.” Sure, Judge has been the backbone of the Yankees and is leading the league with his numbers. Currently, his batting average sits at .392 with 26 home runs. Moreover, he ranks second in the majors.

While that is true, Ohtani is not just any ‘really good hitter.’ It goes beyond the game. He is baseball’s most complete hitter. He sits with a .290 average with 23 homers, leading the NL. Moreover, his discipline at the plate and elite power make him a standout player. There is no doubt that both are delivering remarkably on the offensive side. But sooner or later, Ohtani will be returning to the mound.

When will Shohei Ohtani make a pitching comeback?

Shotime signed a massive 10-year, $700 million contract during the winter of 2023. The Dodgers knew the level of greatness Ohtani carries. But unfortunately, he barely pitched for LA. His elbow surgery from August 2023 kept him off the mound.

We will try not to get carried away on this. But finally, Ohtani seems to be nearing his return more than ever. And naturally, the Dodgers would go to all lengths to make this happen.

While Dodgerland cannot contain the excitement, the team has admitted that they won’t be rushing Ohtani’s return. Andrew Friedman, the team president of baseball operations, revealed the Dodgers’ stance. Apparently, the team will be focusing on Ohtani’s longevity. That means they are looking at the bigger picture here. They want Ohtani when it matters the most.

Now, the Dodgers’ pitching depth has gone so bad that they had to send their position player against the San Diego Padres recently. That, too, in the sixth inning.

Still, Friedman emphasized that the team will solely prioritize Ohtani’s longevity. So, the Dodgers won’t go aggressive this time. Rather, they’d like to play it safe. And looking at the seriousness of his injury, it makes sense. And looking at the length of his contract, the Dodgers would definitely base their decisions on what’s best for Ohtani and the team.