Shohei Ohtani’s Historic MLB Impact: Inside the Phenomenon Captivating Fans Worldwide

Shohei Ohtani’s encore season with the Los Angeles Dodgers is rewriting the record books once again. The two-way superstar crushed his 20th homer of the year on May 27, becoming the first major-leaguer to reach the 20-homer plateau in 2025 and doing so faster than any Dodger since Cody Bellinger’s torrid 2019 start. The blast, a 112-mph laser to straightaway center, underscores a startling trend: Ohtani is slugging over .700 while serving exclusively as Los Angeles’ designated hitter as he continues his post-surgery throwing program. Friday’s nationally televised showdown in the Bronx offered another marquee moment. Facing Aaron Judge for the first time since last October’s seven-game World Series, Ohtani launched a 423-foot homer to the right-field bleachers, then watched Judge answer with a blast of his own in the Yankees’ half of the inning. The duel fueled instant highlight-reel buzz and pushed Ohtani’s OPS to a league-best 1.108. What makes the start even more eye-opening is Ohtani’s new role atop Dave Roberts’ lineup. Slotted in as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter for the first time in his MLB career, he has responded by pacing the National League in runs, extra-base hits and total bases, while Los Angeles owns the NL’s best record at 34-22. Analysts credit his elite plate discipline—he’s chasing pitches outside the zone just 19 % of the time—for producing a career-high walk rate and a .450 on-base percentage. The question on every fan’s mind: when will Ohtani pitch again? The right-hander has been long-tossing from 120 feet and mixing in flat-ground bullpens. Club officials maintain that, barring setbacks, he remains on track to return to the mound after the All-Star break. If successful, Ohtani could become the first player in modern history to win a Cy Young and MVP in alternating seasons while wearing different uniforms. In the interim, his offensive fireworks are keeping him at the center of award conversations. MLB.com’s most recent Hitter Power Rankings placed Ohtani and Judge in the top two spots, noting that “there isn’t another hitter doing more damage to pitches in the heart of the zone”. Vegas sportsbooks now list the Dodgers star as a clear-cut favorite to capture a third MVP trophy. Beyond the diamond, the “Ohtani Effect” continues to resonate. Dodger Stadium merchandise kiosks report a 40 % year-over-year jump in sales of No. 17 jerseys, while Japan’s NHK announced that viewership for late-night Dodgers games has doubled compared with 2024 broadcasts. His $700 million contract—structured with extensive deferred money—looks more team-friendly each week as global sponsorships and streaming deals pour in. With another coast-to-coast series looming against the defending champion Braves, Ohtani sits on the cusp of yet more milestones: his next home run will eclipse his personal pre-June high, and two more stolen bases will make him the first Dodger ever to record 20-20 numbers before June 15. Every at-bat feels like a must-watch event, and the 29-year-old phenom shows no signs of slowing down. Search interest, ticket sales and highlight clicks all point to one conclusion: in 2025, baseball’s gravitational center is wherever Shohei Ohtani is standing.