Shohei Ohtani
#1,329 Most Popular
About
Two-way pitcher and outfielder who became one of Nippon Professional Baseball's biggest stars during his years with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. In 2018, he made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels, and he went on to receive the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year award. Prior to the 2024 MLB season, he signed a record-setting 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Before Fame
He played baseball at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Before turning professional, he competed in the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship.
Trivia
He set a record for the fastest pitch in Nippon Professional Baseball history with a speed of 102.5 mph. In 2021, he was selected as the American League's Most Valuable Player.
Family Life
He has an older sister named Yuka and an older brother named Ryuta. His parents names are Kayoko and Toru. He announced that he got married in 2024.
Associated With
His ability to both pitch and hit led to many media outlets referring to him as "Japan's Babe Ruth."
