Shohei Ohtani is not just a baseball player, he is a global phenomenon who is redefining what is possible in Major League Baseball. With 32 home runs already this season and the clear favorite for the National League MVP award (with odds of -800, according to Fox Sports), his impact transcends the field of play. His popularity is such that for the fifth consecutive year, he was chosen by fans as the National League Designated Hitter with almost 4 million votes and his mere presence on the All-Star team attracted Dodgers teammates such as Will Smith and Freddie Freeman.
Despite being one of the biggest home run machines in MLB, Ohtani’s absence from the 2025 Home Run Derby was noticeable. His decision not to participate is not due to a lack of competitive desire, but to a clear stance on the format of the event. The Japanese star has raised his voice, posing to MLB a series of essential modifications that, for him, are the indispensable condition for a future Home Run Derby to really capture the essence of the competition and the potential of the players.
Ohtani’s demands
In a recent conversation with Dodgers Nation, Shohei Ohtani was blunt about his view of the Home Run Derby. “With the current rules, it’s pretty tough, so for now, I don’t think there’s much chance of participating,” he said. Although he clarified that the final decision does not rest with him, Ohtani expressed his personal opinion firmly, proposing specific changes that he believes would substantially improve the show: “I think there could be limits on the number of pitches, the number of swings, and a focus on flight distance.”
The logic behind his requests is clear. Ohtani wants the Derby to be a stage where hitters can perform at their best without the “obstacles” that he believes the current format presents. His voice carries immense weight in baseball and his statements put MLB at a crossroads.
Ohtani’s impact on the 2025 MLB All-Star Game
Despite his absence from the Home Run Derby, Shohei Ohtani proved his unparalleled worth in the 2025 All-Star Game. His performance in the Midsummer Classic was a statement of intent. Leading off the National League’s batting order, Ohtani hit a flawless single in the first inning, setting the tone and scoring his league’s first run with smart baserunning aggressiveness that made him stand out.
Interestingly, this year’s Home Run Derby, won by Cal Raleigh, included a distance-based tiebreaker, where Raleigh advanced by a minuscule 0.08 feet. This somewhat reflects one of Ohtani’s wishes for the Derby. However, time will tell if MLB will fully embrace these ideas to ensure that one of its biggest stars returns.
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