Shohei Ohtani has become the biggest sensation not only for the Los Angeles Dodgers but across all of Major League Baseball. His talent is unique, spectacular, and explosive. Although he remained quiet through much of the 2025 postseason, the detonation finally came when his team needed it most. Now, heading into the Fall Classic, the power in his bat and arm is expected to stay ablaze.
Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994, in Oshu, Iwate, Japan. He began playing baseball in high school at Hanamaki Higashi, where he pitched from an early age. By 18, he was already throwing 99 miles per hour.
After competing in the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship, several MLB teams became interested in signing him. The Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Texas Rangers all pursued him. However, Ohtani chose to sign with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan, never losing sight of his ultimate goal, to reach the Major Leagues.
In his rookie season in 2013, he played both as a left fielder and pitcher, recording three wins in eleven starts. Though his numbers weren’t spectacular, he was selected for the All-Star Game, marking the beginning of a promising career.
Shohei Ohtani’s arrival to the Los Angeles Angels
By 2017, Ohtani decided it was time for a change. After narrowing down the list of MLB teams interested in him, he signed with the Los Angeles Angels. He made his debut in that season’s Opening Day game against the Oakland Athletics. During that period, he earned his first hit, his first home run, and then his second and third, becoming the first player in team history to achieve that milestone.
By September, Ohtani reached a record not seen in 100 years of MLB history: a player hitting 15 home runs and pitching 50 innings in a single season. The following year, he was named the American League Rookie of the Year.
Shohei Ohtani’s move to the Los Angeles Dodgers
After posting impressive numbers, it was only a matter of time before a bigger franchise acquired him. That moment arrived in 2023, when the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him away from the Angels.
In the summer of 2023, Ohtani agreed to the most lucrative contract in sports history. The Dodgers offered him $700 million over ten years. The deal was structured for him to receive $2 million annually, with $68 million deferred each year to be paid between 2034 and 2043.
Shohei Ohtani’s net worth
With that record-breaking deal, Shohei Ohtani no longer has to worry about financial security for himself or future generations. His current net worth stands at $150 million, built from his professional earnings in Japan, his MLB contracts, and lucrative sponsorships with several global brands.
As the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays begins, expectations are sky-high to see the Japanese superstar showcase his brilliance once again, both on the mound and at the plate.
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