What Shohei Ohtani Still Needs to Become the Greatest

Shohei Ohtani has already cemented himself in history as one of baseball’s most unique talents. The two-way Japanese superstar has earned four MVP awards, multiple Silver Slugger awards, and led the Los Angeles Dodgers to back-to-back World Series titles in 2024 and 2025 in his first two seasons with the team. Ohtani’s rare combination of both elite hitting and pitching has captivated the attention of fans worldwide, redefining what’s possible on a baseball diamond. With each award, record, and standout performance, Ohtani strengthens his case as a legitimate contender for baseball’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT). However, there are still many milestones Ohtani must achieve to earn this status. 

Ohtani’s foremost task is to sustain his current elite batting percentages. Maintaining his .280 career batting average, .950 career on-base plus slugging percentage, and his pace of 40-plus home runs a season, which he has achieved in four of the past five years, would set him apart from other pitchers who cannot hit and would affirm his legacy as a two-way phenomenon.

Ohtani must also continue his dominant pitching performances, as showcased in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2025 World Series run. He played a historic game in Game Four of the National League Championship Series, throwing six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts, while also hitting three home runs, helping the Dodgers clinch another pennant. After the game, ESPN senior MLB insider Jeff Passan called Ohtani “the most talented baseball player ever,” and said that Ohtani was “doing unfathomable things, redefining the game in real time.”

 Excelling as both a hitter and a pitcher is what truly sets Ohtani apart from other legendary players, such as Babe Ruth, and it’s essential that he maintains this balance. To further cement Ohtani’s ability to compete at the highest level on both sides of the game, Ohtani should aim to win a Cy Young Award, which is given to the league’s best regular-season pitcher. Beyond short-term accomplishments, staying healthy throughout the full season would allow him to gradually accumulate the career statistics and milestones that often define baseball’s greatest players. 

Ohtani also benefits from playing alongside an elite supporting cast in Los Angeles, where a deep lineup, strong rotation, and well-run management increase his chances of sustained postseason success. Continued team success could accelerate Ohtani’s journey toward GOAT status, as championships and October performances shape how greatness is remembered. He has already created his own 50/50 club (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases), has four Most Valuable Player awards, which is second most all-time, and is the only player besides Ruth to have 100-plus home runs and 250-plus strikeouts as a pitcher in his career. It is difficult to predict the milestone he’ll reach next.

Finally, and most importantly, Ohtani must continue to inspire fans and influence the game of baseball. Through his two-way play and unique approach, Ohtani’s legacy would be solidified not just as a player, but as one of the most transformative figures in baseball history. Ohtani is the face of baseball in Japan. Especially after leading Japan to a World Baseball Classic victory in 2023, he has emerged as a national icon. It turns out, you can’t avoid him if you live in Tokyo—The Japan Times reported, “Living in Tokyo, it’s almost impossible to go outside and get through the day without seeing him on an ad somewhere — whether it’s on a billboard, on an LED screen, on a vending machine, inside a train or a taxi, or at a supermarket.” 

Ohtani’s impact extends far beyond advertising, as Ohtani has significantly boosted baseball viewership in Japan and across Asia. His merchandise consistently ranks among the league’s top sellers, reflecting his global popularity. Most importantly, Ohtani has helped grow baseball worldwide, inspiring a new generation of international players and expanding the sport’s reach beyond North America.

Although Ohtani may become the most accomplished player of his generation, there are still many players who remain a part of the wider GOAT discussion. Players who defined different eras of baseball may have been the greatest of their time, but perspectives change as the game evolves. For example, Ty Cobb dominated the dead-ball era with unmatched contact hitting, posting a .366 batting average, while Honus Wagner combined power and defense at a level never seen before at the shortstop position. It’s possible that these dead-ball era legends may have been just as talented, or even better, than modern players, but comparisons are difficult because of the major changes in equipment, training, rules, and technology. Another example of these limitations is Nolan Ryan, one of the greatest pitchers of all time, who cannot officially have the fastest-pitch record because pitching velocity was measured differently in his era. Advances in technology and changes in rules also shape statistics, as Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds all shattered home run records, but while using performance-enhancing drugs. A batting average of .300 in 1945 holds a different weight than a .300 average in 2025.  Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs, yet fans and pundits still debate whether his swing and approach would survive modern baseball. Others say that if you were to send a modern superstar like Aaron Judge to the 1920s, he might hit 100 home runs a season. No one will ever know how players would have performed in different time periods, but it’s still enjoyable to imagine how players from different eras may compete, even if it’s difficult. 

Baseball has gone through many transformations, from the low-scoring games of the deadball era, the insane power of the steroid era, and the pitcher-hitter balanced era we are in today. Because baseball has evolved so much over time, its history is divided into distinct eras, each with its own strategies and styles of play. As rules develop and players change, we as fans will only ever have what-if scenarios about our favorite players. In the end, Ohtani may be your GOAT, but Babe Ruth might be someone else’s pick. There’s no definitive answer to the debate, and someday another generational talent may emerge and redefine the conversation entirely.