Further evidence that Shohei Ohtani is truly one of a kind

Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Performance: A Mixed Bag

Picture a player hitting four extra-base hits in a World Series game for the first time in over a century. Now, imagine they go a flawless 9-for-9 with four walks in that same game. It’s impressive, right?

But then, there’s the catch. This same player’s previous two home games weren’t exactly stellar.

Enter Shohei Ohtani. Last week at Dodger Stadium, he had an incredible game, achieving 3 home runs in 3 at-bats. His on-base percentage? A perfect 1.000. On top of that, he struck out 10 batters and pitched 6 shutout innings.

In the two games leading up—the NLCS deciding game and the Dodgers’ first World Series match—he logged a 1.000 on-base percentage, a slugging percentage of 3.429, and an OPS of 4.429. A 0.00 ERA during back-to-back home games? That would be a first in history.

Some are quick to label Ohtani as the greatest talent since Babe Ruth. Yet, that’s a heavy claim. Ruth’s unique legacy is undeniable, but it’s worth noting that he didn’t frequently pitch and hit simultaneously as Ohtani does.

Ruth may be the closest comparison to an all-around player we have, and he did so in a far more challenging environment. There are no real comparisons, but breaking down Ohtani’s game led me to some interesting parallels:

Hit Comp: Juan Soto. When considering sheer power, names like Aaron Judge come to mind. However, Judge’s 172 OPS is a tad better. Yet, Soto and Ohtani share an OPS above 160, edging out legends like Stan Musial and Hank Aaron.

Pitching Comp: Roger Clemens. Ohtani’s career ERA of over 143 could qualify him for the Hall of Fame, putting him on par with Clemens. While Ohtani pitches fewer innings, his 143 hits allowed are notable when compared to Hall of Famers like Max Fried and Randy Johnson.

Stealing Base King: Ronald Acuña Jr. Ohtani possesses both power and speed, making him a unique 50-50 threat, while Acuña is the standout 40-70 player.

Marketing Mix: 779 MLB Players Combined. Ohtani’s off-field value is staggering, estimated between $100 million to $200 million in sponsorships alone. While other players may come close combined, none match his individual worth.

Salary Comparison: Mark Leiter Jr. Currently, Ohtani earns $2 million, while Leiter, a Yankees relief pitcher who’s off the Division Series roster, is valued slightly higher at $2.05 million. Other World Series players fall below that, showcasing just how remarkable Ohtani’s situation is.