Despite Shohei Ohtani‘s recovery as a pitcher, his offensive production remains a nightmare for opponents in a season that the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for another title. The Japanese has not only excelled in his power with the bat, but also for his ability to score runs at an unattainable pace for the rest of the league.
During the 9-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, Ohtani scored twice to take his total to 110 runs so far in 2025. With that figure, he not only leads the National League, but also opened up a historic gap because the second place in the circuit has only 80. According to OptaStats, this is the first time since 1932 that a National League player has scored 30 or more runs than the second best in that category.
Shohei Ohtani breaks scoring records in the National League
“Shohei Ohtani has scored 110 runs this year. No one else in the National League has more than 80,” OptaStats posted on X. “This is the first time a National League player has scored at least 30 more runs than any other player in the Senior Circuit at the end of a day since 1932, when Chuck Klein had a lead of up to 37 runs.”
Players like Kyle Schwarber, Fernando Tatis Jr, Juan Soto and Elly De La Cruz are tied for second place with 80 runs, but their production pales in comparison to Ohtani’s pace. Even when broadening the picture to the entire MLB, only Aaron Judge (with 92 runs) has managed to surpass 80, although still far behind the Japanese player.
Ohtani and his impact as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter
Ohtani’s position as the leadoff hitter in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup is no coincidence, as he has a lot of ability to get on base and advance on his own merits, which makes him a strategic weapon and that has been the key to success this season beyond the power of his hitting.
At 30 years old and halfway through his recovery as a pitcher, Ohtani continues to produce at an MVP-worthy level. His combination of speed, game vision and consistency has made him the most influential player on the bases in all of Major League Baseball, as he guides the Dodgers who want their second consecutive World Series ring.
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