{"id":134362,"date":"2026-05-20T01:49:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T04:49:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/shohei-ohtani-is-having-a-down-year-at-the-plate-it-shows-just-how-special-he-is\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T01:49:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T04:49:38","slug":"shohei-ohtani-is-having-a-down-year-at-the-plate-it-shows-just-how-special-he-is","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/shohei-ohtani-is-having-a-down-year-at-the-plate-it-shows-just-how-special-he-is\/","title":{"rendered":"Shohei Ohtani is having a down year at the plate. It shows just how special he is"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-editable=\"content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\" data-reorderable=\"content\">\n<div data-editable=\"aiSummary\" class=\"article__ai-summary-wrapper\">\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/ai-article-summary\/instances\/cmpcklaou001s3b6rkr6yxqmo@published\" class=\"ai-article-summary hidden\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-selector-brand=\"accent-ai\">\n    <button class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle\"><br \/>\n        <strong class=\"ai-article-summary__title\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__stars-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\">\n    <path d=\"M16.7322 12.6297L14.7237 12.0545C13.8192 11.7989 12.9952 11.315 12.3307 10.6491C11.6662 9.98311 11.1834 9.15741 10.9284 8.25095L10.3544 6.23807C10.3255 6.16765 10.2764 6.10741 10.2133 6.06502C10.1502 6.02263 10.076 6 10 6C9.92403 6 9.84978 6.02263 9.78667 6.06502C9.72357 6.10741 9.67446 6.16765 9.6456 6.23807L9.07163 8.25095C8.81662 9.15741 8.33377 9.98311 7.66926 10.6491C7.00476 11.315 6.18084 11.7989 5.27634 12.0545L3.26781 12.6297C3.19069 12.6516 3.12281 12.6982 3.07448 12.7623C3.02615 12.8264 3 12.9045 3 12.9848C3 13.0652 3.02615 13.1433 3.07448 13.2074C3.12281 13.2715 3.19069 13.3181 3.26781 13.34L5.27634 13.9152C6.18084 14.1708 7.00476 14.6547 7.66926 15.3206C8.33377 15.9866 8.81662 16.8123 9.07163 17.7187L9.6456 19.7316C9.66749 19.8089 9.71393 19.8769 9.77789 19.9254C9.84185 19.9738 9.91983 20 10 20C10.0802 20 10.1581 19.9738 10.2221 19.9254C10.2861 19.8769 10.3325 19.8089 10.3544 19.7316L10.9284 17.7187C11.1834 16.8123 11.6662 15.9866 12.3307 15.3206C12.9952 14.6547 13.8192 14.1708 14.7237 13.9152L16.7322 13.34C16.8093 13.3181 16.8772 13.2715 16.9255 13.2074C16.9738 13.1433 17 13.0652 17 12.9848C17 12.9045 16.9738 12.8264 16.9255 12.7623C16.8772 12.6982 16.8093 12.6516 16.7322 12.6297Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n    <path d=\"M19.8852 5.84129L19.0244 5.59477C18.6368 5.48524 18.2837 5.27786 17.9989 4.99245C17.7141 4.70705 17.5072 4.35317 17.3979 3.96469L17.1519 3.10203C17.1395 3.07185 17.1185 3.04603 17.0914 3.02787C17.0644 3.0097 17.0326 3 17 3C16.9674 3 16.9356 3.0097 16.9086 3.02787C16.8815 3.04603 16.8605 3.07185 16.8481 3.10203L16.6021 3.96469C16.4928 4.35317 16.2859 4.70705 16.0011 4.99245C15.7163 5.27786 15.3632 5.48524 14.9756 5.59477L14.1148 5.84129C14.0817 5.85069 14.0526 5.87064 14.0319 5.89811C14.0112 5.92558 14 5.95907 14 5.9935C14 6.02794 14.0112 6.06143 14.0319 6.0889C14.0526 6.11637 14.0817 6.13632 14.1148 6.14572L14.9756 6.39224C15.3632 6.50176 15.7163 6.70915 16.0011 6.99455C16.2859 7.27996 16.4928 7.63383 16.6021 8.02231L16.8481 8.88498C16.8575 8.9181 16.8774 8.94725 16.9048 8.96801C16.9322 8.98877 16.9656 9 17 9C17.0344 9 17.0678 8.98877 17.0952 8.96801C17.1226 8.94725 17.1425 8.9181 17.1519 8.88498L17.3979 8.02231C17.5072 7.63383 17.7141 7.27996 17.9989 6.99455C18.2837 6.70915 18.6368 6.50176 19.0244 6.39224L19.8852 6.14572C19.9183 6.13632 19.9474 6.11637 19.9681 6.0889C19.9888 6.06143 20 6.02794 20 5.9935C20 5.95907 19.9888 5.92558 19.9681 5.89811C19.9474 5.87064 19.9183 5.85069 19.8852 5.84129Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n            <span>Summary<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/strong><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle-caret-up\" aria-label=\"Toggle Article Summary\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-ui-caret-up\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12.478 6.21a.637.637 0 00-.946 0L2.206 16.229c-.225.243-.28.633-.093.91.237.355.7.385.975.089l8.917-9.579 8.878 9.537c.225.243.589.301.847.101a.721.721 0 00.082-1.048L12.478 6.211z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle-caret-down\" aria-label=\"Toggle Article Summary\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-ui-caret-down\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12.478 17.218a.637.637 0 01-.946 0L2.206 7.2c-.225-.242-.28-.632-.093-.91a.613.613 0 01.975-.088l8.917 9.579 8.878-9.538c.225-.242.589-.3.847-.1.33.255.357.752.082 1.048l-9.334 10.027z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"ai-article-summary__collapsible\">\n<ul class=\"ai-article-summary__items\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Shohei Ohtani&#8217;s hitting numbers are down this season as he focuses on elite pitching performance.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">The Dodgers star has opponents batting just .161 against him on the mound.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">His ability to excel at whatever he prioritizes reveals why he remains baseball&#8217;s most unique talent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__disclaimer-text\">AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<cite class=\"source__cite vossi-source__cite\"><br \/>\n      <span class=\"source__location vossi-source__location\" data-editable=\"location\">New York City<wbr\/><\/span><span class=\"source__separator\">\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/cite><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckgvn1002x28p85w304tnu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            It\u2019s hard to imagine a more useful skill for a professional athlete than being able to improve a particular facet of their game at will.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf00053b6rqps9n87z@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            It\u2019s not effortless, of course, this upgrade. It takes work and work takes time; but it is essentially a guarantee: Effort = ability. To try is to succeed. Who lives like that?\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf00063b6raigbg99d@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/10\/24\/sport\/baseball-world-series-shohei-ohtani-conversation\">Shohei Ohtani<\/a> does.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf00073b6rxm03v3vk@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            This season, even though it\u2019s currently the source of some consternation in Southern California, practically proves it.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf00083b6rpzsy8nag@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            So far this season, Ohtani is a little more than 30% better than league average at the plate. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/player\/shohei-ohtani-660271\" target=\"_blank\">He has just<\/a> seven home runs, six stolen bases, and his .265 batting average <em>would be the lowest of his career over a full season<\/em>. Although we\u2019re not yet to Memorial Day, it has become concerning enough that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/mlb\/story\/_\/id\/48755022\/dodgers-hold-shohei-ohtani-lineup-day-2-amid-hitting-slump\" target=\"_blank\">Dodgers are resting him regularly<\/a> amid this slump.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf00093b6rqb6adw6j@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            These are disappointing numbers for a designated hitter. Ohtani has won four MVP awards \u2013 all unanimously \u2013 but if his offensive production doesn\u2019t improve dramatically, he won\u2019t be worthy of a fifth. Except, of course, when you consider that even if he doesn\u2019t leave the yard again this year (highly unlikely), his seven homers will certainly lead the league among pitchers.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000a3b6rof49ja74@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            And right now, Ohtani is among the best pitchers in the sport.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000b3b6r2s1ohq0i@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            This season, Ohtani is actively and deliberately pursuing a Cy Young-worthy performance on the mound. It seems to be costing him some amount of offensive production. Even a unicorn, apparently, is subject to the same quotidian constraints of space and time and perhaps energy conservation within the universe at large, same as the rest of us. But, if anything, this just underscores how special he really is.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmpckitk8001f3b6rawpu2uib@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate vossi-image_large-elevate  image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"AP26126108824090.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\" data-original-height=\"3314\" data-original-width=\"4971\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26126108824090.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_large__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26126108824090.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26126108824090.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26126108824090.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26126108824090.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26126108824090.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder subheader-elevate vossi-subheader_elevate vossi-subheader_elevate--size-h2\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cmpcki2eo001b3b6rqibhikcr@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"ohtani-turns-it-on-and-off\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n        Ohtani turns it on \u2013 and off<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000d3b6reqy7p3wq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Although globally famous for his utterly unparalleled two-way ability, there were signs even before this season that Ohtani could be the best at hitting or pitching \u2013 but perhaps not both simultaneously.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000e3b6r9u8aes6b@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            His best \u2013 and most demanding \u2013 season as a starter prior to now <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/gl.fcgi?id=ohtansh01&amp;t=p&amp;year=2022\" target=\"_blank\">came in 2022<\/a>, when he had a 2.33 ERA over 166 innings for the Los Angeles Angels. He finished fourth in Cy Young voting that year, but hit just \u2013\u201cjust\u201d \u2013 34 home runs (good for 11th-best in baseball) and produced an all-around offensive profile 42% better than league average (14th best among qualified hitters).\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000f3b6rueslr841@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Ohtani had just \u2013 again, \u201cjust\u201d \u2013 one MVP at that point, had yet to demonstrate the peak of his prowess offensively, and the novelty of doing both at the big-league level was still potent. In other words, we weren\u2019t yet spoiled with expecting him to be two of the best athletes on the planet in one person. In retrospect, though, it certainly seems that pitching success that season cost him something at the plate.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000g3b6ru7vnhgpz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            In 2024, unable to pitch during his return from Tommy John surgery, Ohtani\u2019s offense reached a new level \u2013 for himself and in baseball history. In his first season with the Dodgers \u2013 and en route to his first World Series ring \u2013 Ohtani became the first ever member of the 50\/50 club: 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, more than double his previous career high, plus a .310 batting average. The gaudy offensive stats propelled him to the first MVP win by a DH.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmpckji1n001h3b6rd0425rdc@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate vossi-image_large-elevate  image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2173226625.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\" data-original-height=\"2000\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2173226625.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_large__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2173226625.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2173226625.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2173226625.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2173226625.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2173226625.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2173226625.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\" alt=\"Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024.\" class=\"image_large__dam-img image_large__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_large__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"2000\" width=\"3000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000h3b6r28ntuujj@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Essentially, when injury limited him to the offensive side of his game, Ohtani arguably did it better than anyone else ever has. Unable to pitch, he simply opted to dedicate more energy to baserunning and \u2013 admittedly aided by the new rules limiting pickoffs \u2013 became an absolute thief, finishing second in MLB in stolen bases that season.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000i3b6rzeo5hnbn@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Before we return to this year, let that sink in. Ohtani had hit 40+ home runs twice previously in his career. To clear the 50-homer benchmark would have been a worthy goal for a season spent focusing exclusively on offense. But he understood, or at least hoped, that he could do more than play up his power; he had an entire starting pitcher\u2019s workload to spare and spent it on speed. He <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mlb\/story\/_\/id\/41331747\/dodgers-ohtani-first-50-50-player-major-league-history\" target=\"_blank\">chased the steals<\/a> intentionally and that intent translated to results. Ohtani wanted to be better at something and then <em>he just was. <\/em>\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000j3b6rzzhboafd@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            And now he\u2019s doing it <em>again<\/em>.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000l3b6rh8kx5bg3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            In addition to the four MVP awards, Ohtani has enough accolades that he could let <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/18\/sport\/ohtani-dog-children-book-intl-hnk\">Decoy the dog<\/a> bury a few in the backyard and hardly miss them. He\u2019s won Rookie of the Year and four Silver Sluggers. He\u2019s been a World Series champion twice and a World Baseball Classic hero for his home country, authoring perhaps the single <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NMfBdEV03j8\" target=\"_blank\">most exciting moment in baseball\u2019s history<\/a> to secure Japan\u2019s WBC gold medal. He\u2019s a five-time All-Star and a two-time Major League Player of the Year (which is an award I just learned exists and now think he deserves to have more of).\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000m3b6r18ej6uc4@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            He has not, however, won a Cy Young award.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000n3b6r8g1f1wsg@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            It was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mlb\/story\/_\/id\/48043882\/mlb-2026-shohei-ohtani-los-angeles-dodgers-cy-young-spring-training\" target=\"_blank\">no secret heading into this season<\/a>, now more than two years removed from his second elbow surgery, that Ohtani aspired to be the league\u2019s best pitcher.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcf000o3b6rmxx7wtcp@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cHe seems like he\u2019s on a mission, pitching-wise,\u201d Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told ESPN in spring training. \u201cWhenever we\u2019ve seen him on a mission, good things happen.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000p3b6r5lfoewej@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            It\u2019s hardly worth calling that prognosis prescient when it comes to Ohtani and yet, of course, by now we know it was. Through the first 30% of the season, Ohtani the Pitcher has been practically unhittable \u2013 opposing players are batting just .161 against him \u2013 and Ohtani the Hitter seems to be suffering as a result.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000q3b6revc94asb@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            His <a href=\"https:\/\/baseballsavant.mlb.com\/savant-player\/shohei-ohtani-660271?stats=statcast-r-bat_tracking-mlb\" target=\"_blank\">bat speed is down this season<\/a>. It\u2019s still above league average but a full mile an hour slower than last season, and his percentage of fast swings is way down. It\u2019s the swing profile of someone who is busier than every other athlete and not actually superhuman. Someone who is, in a word, tired.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000s3b6r0kxuqphp@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Fatigue is a real concern over the course of a baseball season, especially for a team that reasonably plans to play deep into October. The Dodgers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mlb\/story\/_\/id\/48623527\/dodgers-dave-roberts-explains-keeping-shohei-ohtani-lineup-start-days\" target=\"_blank\">started keeping Ohtani out of the lineup<\/a> on days that he pitched. Last week, they added an extra day of rest.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000t3b6rey3l6kje@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            And over the weekend, he exploded offensively. He was 6-for-13 with seven RBIs as the Dodgers swept his former club in Anaheim.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000u3b6rnxz7wdaf@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cWe were hoping to get a reset with a couple days off,\u201d manager Dave Roberts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mlb\/story\/_\/id\/48793601\/ohtani-little-league-hr-keys-5-rbi-night-dodgers-blowout-win\" target=\"_blank\">told reporters<\/a>, \u201cand I think that\u2019s what happened.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000v3b6rsj3y6j9g@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            After resting for a couple days, Ohtani didn\u2019t look so tired anymore.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000w3b6rs0vzo0or@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Some people will argue this is a sign he can\u2019t <em>truly <\/em>do both. That watching him learn, along with the rest of us, the exact outer limits of what his efforts can accomplish punctures the myth that he is something greater than every athlete who has come before. If there are any limitations at all he might as well pick: pitcher or hitter.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000x3b6r3krhrkpf@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            But Ohtani was always human. Always going to age and, eventually, retire. He cannot bend time or cease the need for recovery. His energies are not infinite. His talent, however, has never been more obvious.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmpckkmrt001m3b6rbvdulpfk@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate vossi-image_large-elevate  image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"AP26137775024530.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.666779089376054\" data-original-height=\"1977\" data-original-width=\"2965\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26137775024530.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_large__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26137775024530.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26137775024530.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26137775024530.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26137775024530.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26137775024530.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/ap26137775024530.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\" alt=\"Ohtani follows through on an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels.\" class=\"image_large__dam-img image_large__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_large__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1977\" width=\"2965\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000y3b6rv8r589u3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Four-hundred and ninety-one pitchers have thrown at least five innings this season. All of them wish that not hitting at an MVP-level meant they could have a sub-1.00 ERA \u2013 because none of them hit at all anyway.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg000z3b6r3hmak6iq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            But even more broadly, Ohtani is proving yet again that he excels at whatever feat he is most focused on. Before, it was an unparalleled power-speed combo, now it\u2019s pitching, and if he decides to go for gold in gymnastics before next summer, well, what was it Andrew Friedman said?\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg00103b6r3x6o8o7n@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The remainder of this season will reveal just how finely Ohtani can adjust the SKILL bars on the real-life video game of himself. Can he nudge the pitching prowess down a bit in exchange for better results at the plate? Is it worth it to give him a couple days off every now and then if it means the series he just had? Do the Dodgers, of all teams, really need him in the lineup on start days, as cool as that may be?\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg00113b6r03r0o3jc@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Or will his capacity simply expand as he finagles things behind the scenes?\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg00123b6rnmo96obq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Part of what makes this season so compelling is that Ohtani has made his desires so manifest. Every athlete wants to win, and may have individual goals in mind as well. But for Ohtani, we\u2019ve learned how to spot his priorities based on his production. There are months to go, but at this rate, the baseball superstar is making a compelling case for his first Cy Young Award.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg00133b6rdvdtajz3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Surely, his fifth MVP would accompany it. The Dodgers have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fangraphs.com\/standings\/playoff-odds\/fg\/div\" target=\"_blank\">the highest odds to win the World Series<\/a> of any team in baseball right now. That would be his third championship ring. And then what? What will Ohtani try to do next?\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmpckhpcg00143b6r4qjxhcyv@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            We\u2019ll probably find out when he does it.\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/05\/19\/sport\/shohei-ohtani-analysis\">Source link <\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary Shohei Ohtani&#8217;s hitting numbers are down this season as he focuses on elite pitching performance. The Dodgers star has opponents batting just .161 against him on the mound. His ability to excel at whatever he prioritizes reveals why he remains baseball&#8217;s most unique talent. AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor. New York [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":134363,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"googlesitekit_rrm_CAow2JLhCw:productID":"","maa_idioma":"","maa_pais":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[26769,4456,28037,3790,3765,7858],"class_list":["post-134362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ubirata","tag-ohtani","tag-plate","tag-shohei","tag-shows","tag-special","tag-year"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Shohei Ohtani is having a down year at the plate. 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The Dodgers star has opponents batting just .161\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/shohei-ohtani-is-having-a-down-year-at-the-plate-it-shows-just-how-special-he-is\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias - A realidade ao seu alcance!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/portalubirataonline\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-20T04:49:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-20T04:49:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Shohei-Ohtani-is-having-a-down-year-at-the-plate.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"450\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"ubirataonline\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ubirataonline\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ubirataonline\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"ubirataonline\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/shohei-ohtani-is-having-a-down-year-at-the-plate-it-shows-just-how-special-he-is\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/shohei-ohtani-is-having-a-down-year-at-the-plate-it-shows-just-how-special-he-is\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"ubirataonline\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/372f87bbd3fdd79b8556b84c98d0bc1c\"},\"headline\":\"Shohei Ohtani is having a down year at the plate. 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