Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani has been a force since arriving in the United States in 2018, and currently stands alone as MLB’s only two-way player.
The 30-year-old has taken the league by storm, serving as one of MLB’s most prominent power threats while also being able to throw gems on the mound. Ohtani won the Rookie of the Year award with the Angels in 2018, and has won three MVP awards since. He has managed 50 home runs in each of his seasons with the Dodgers, and kept a 2.87 ERA through 14 starts in 2025.
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The superstar recently encouraged the youth to pursue a career as a two-way player for as long as they can.
“Yeah, I like to encourage kids who are trying the two-way to do it as long as possible as long as they’re allowed to, as much as their talent level could take them,” Ohtani said. “But I do encourage that.”
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While Ohtani is currently MLB’s only two-way player, several prospects have popped up in the minor leagues and given the designation a shot.
The San Francisco Giants’ Reggie Crawford has spent time both on the mound and at the plate, playing both positions in 2023. He served only as a pitcher in 2024, though, before landing on the season-long injured list in 2025. Additionally, 18-year-old Athletics prospect Shotaro Morii is another player with a two-way designation, however has only played the field in the Arizona Complex League.
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Ohtani is making history at the highest level, so it’s only natural players would follow in his footsteps in their attempt to be great. While they may never reach the heights Ohtani has in his career, his presence in MLB has made the idea of both pitching and hitting in the major leagues feasible.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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One Response
Congratulations Dodgers!
This was the most exciting World Series I ever watched. I have followed the Dodgers starting with there Saint Paul Saints farm team in the early 1950’s. Who could not be excited about Otahni, Mookie, Freddie, Max. I have also enjoyed many Japanese Baseball games including watching Sadwara Oh, when I visited Japan. The tenacity of this team shall be remembered well beyond the rest of my years. GO DODGERS you played the games of my lifetime!!!