Shocked? Well, this debate surrounding Shohei Ohtani was sparked by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman! Recently he pointed out that the two-way superstar is somehow not getting enough recognition.

But one of baseball’s top insiders quickly dismissed that notion, arguing that you simply can’t be underrated when you’re already universally regarded as the best player in the sport.

During a recent interview, Friedman stated, “I think in some weird way, he is underrated and perhaps even underappreciated.”

Chris Rose, an MLB analyst, immediately pushed back, making a strong counterargument on Baseball Today: “I can’t say that he’s underrated because in every poll, whether it’s a players’ poll, a media poll, or MVP voting, he is unquestionably the number one player. You can’t be rated any higher, so he’s not underrated.”

All in all, Ohtani and Underrated? Pfffff… 

Now, underappreciated? That can be discussed.

Chris Rose and several other insiders have highlighted that fans do acknowledge Ohtani’s talent. He’s getting exactly the level of recognition he deserves, but fans might not fully understand the complexity of what he accomplishes at his level of play. For context, plenty of players including Michael Lorenzon have attempted to be two-way stars, only to quickly realize they had to choose one path. Even the best prospects struggle to make it in the big leagues as either a hitter or a pitcher—but Ohtani is elite at both. That level of excellence is nearly impossible to replicate.

So, yeah! Ohtani can be seen as underappreciated, at least until people truly understand what it takes to be what he is today.

Shohei Ohtani’s dominance in baseball is unmatched

Shohei Ohtani stands out in Major League Baseball by showcasing his talents as both a batter and a pitcher at the same time, a feat not witnessed since the days of Babe Ruth during the ’90s.

In 2023, he scored 44 home runs and a pitching record of a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched to top the American League charts. In a sport where specialization has been the norm, throughout four consecutive seasons, Ohtani’s outstanding performance has earned him the AL MVP award with the distinction of two wins—a feat he shares with baseball legends Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout.

What makes Ohtani even more incredible is that he’s dominating in an era where competition is at its absolute peak. He’s not just keeping up with MLB’s best. He’s leaving them in the dust. In 2024, while recovering from elbow surgery and could only hit, he remained one of the most dangerous sluggers in the game. Maintaining his outings, he led MLB in key categories till May such as OPS 1.139 and a slugging percentage of .705. His batting average of .370 also ranked first, and his expected stats placed him in the 100th percentile.

Just having Ohtani in the lineup almost changes everything. Opposing managers rethink their entire strategy when he steps up to the plate. His impact goes beyond the numbers, his presence alone shifts the balance of power.

Now adding to his elite baserunning, marketability, and global appeal, his stats make it clear: Ohtani isn’t just the best player in baseball—he’s a once-in-a-century phenomenon. Don’t you think?