MLB released their hitter power rankings for 2026 Friday, and placed Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani atop the list.
The list also included AL MVP Aaron Judge as well as several All-Stars such as Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, Ronald Acuña Jr., Bobby Witt Jr., José Ramírez and Junior Caminero. AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz tied with Caminero for the 10th spot on the list.
Ohtani has set himself apart since joining the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season, winning NL MVP in both seasons while featuring exclusively as the designated hitter for most of that time. He slashed .310/.390/.646 in his first season with the Dodgers, breaking their single-season home run record with 54 and leading the National league with 130 RBIs.
He hit even more homers in 2025, reaching a career-high 55, and tallied 102 RBIs and maintaining an OPS over 1.000.
Ohtani’s still extends beyond just the MLB, though, as he showed he can also perform on the international stage during the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He led the tournament with three home runs, driving in seven runs in the process. His 1.842 OPS led all players with 10 or more plate appearances during the event.
While he is clearly among the best in the game with a bat, Ohtani brings plenty of value elsewhere on the diamond.
How Does Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Effect his Overall Value?
On top of being one of baseball’s best hitters, Ohtani’s ability to take over a game on the mound makes him a one-of-a-kind talent and indisputably the best player in baseball.
He showcased said abilities last postseason, hitting three home runs and striking out 10 batters in six shutout innings against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.
The right-hander started 14 games in the regular season last year, posting a 2.87 ERA and striking out 62 batters in 47 innings pitched. If Ohtani can perform even close to as well as he did last season on both the mound and in the batter’s box, he will be well on his way to bringing home a fifth MVP award.
How many home runs do you think Shohei Ohtani will hit in 2026?
