The Next Shohei Ohtani? Not So Fast — Why Baseball's Ultimate Two-Way Star Is Still in a Class by Himself

When Ohtani First Arrived, the Future Was Promising

I've been covering baseball for years, and I've seen countless stars rise and fall. But few have captured the imagination quite like Shohei Ohtani. When he stepped onto the mound in 2018 as a two-way player, many of us believed we were witnessing the beginning of something revolutionary — an era where players would no longer be pigeonholed into either hitting or pitching.

It seemed inevitable that others would follow in his footsteps. After all, Ohtani had already proven he could perform at the highest level in both roles. His arm was as deadly as his bat. But here we are, years later, and no one has even come close to matching what he's accomplished.

"It's really the workload management part of it," said Jo Adell, a former teammate who once played alongside Ohtani. "Because you get halfway through the year, and you're trying to get your bullpens in, you have arm fatigue, your swing's not feeling good, but you got to do both. It's a tough task."

Breaking the Mold — But Not Without Cost

Ohtani's journey hasn't been smooth. The path from Japanese sensation to MLB superstar was paved with injuries and setbacks. Tommy John surgery in 2018, followed by knee surgeries in 2019 and 2023, and more recent shoulder issues — each one took a toll on his ability to maintain both roles.

As we enter the final stretch of the 2026 season, Ohtani is no longer pitching. His body has simply told him it's time to focus on hitting. That's not just a strategic decision — it's a necessary one. And yet, even that shift highlights how demanding his dual role truly was.

As Los Angeles Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes put it: "The bar just to be a designated hitter in the major leagues is exceedingly high, and meeting that threshold while juggling all the work required of starting pitchers is immensely difficult. Performing both at high enough levels... feels impossible."

The Rules That Keep Two-Way Players at Bay

Baseball's rule changes in recent years have also played a role in keeping two-way players from emerging. The 2020 decision to implement stricter categorizations for pitchers and position players effectively created a new hurdle — one that made it harder for players like Michael Lorenzen, Jake Cronenworth, or even the promising Bryce Eldridge to maintain both roles.

That rule was meant to ensure teams weren't exploiting loopholes, but in doing so, it also discouraged legitimate two-way talent. The requirement that players complete at least 20 innings as a pitcher and play 20 games as a position player with three plate appearances each? It's an obstacle few can overcome.

As Cronenworth noted: "It's just so hard to do it now." That sentiment rings true — not just for the players, but for the front offices who are tasked with making decisions that balance risk and reward in a sport where specialization has become the norm.

How Ohtani Became Unique — Not Just Great

What sets Ohtani apart isn't just his talent; it's his mind. He understands exactly how his body works, and more importantly, when to rest, when to push, and when to make tough calls about his future in the game.

I watched him closely during my time covering the Angels and the Dodgers — he had a precision to his preparation that no one else did. Whether it was his bullpen routines or his swing mechanics, he approached everything like a master craftsman. That kind of mental fortitude is rare — and almost impossible to replicate.

Michael Harris II, now with the Braves, once said: "I kind of wish I would've done both, at the same time. At the same time, my arm doesn't hurt right now, so I'm happy with where I'm at." That's not just a quote — it's a reflection of how many players feel when they see Ohtani's incredible journey.

Is Another Two-Way Star in the Cards?

The truth is, despite the occasional whisper from scouts or the hopeful stories of minor leaguers like Seong-Jun Kim and Josh Owens, no one has emerged to challenge Ohtani's uniqueness. Even if there were a few players with the raw talent, the path to being a two-way star in today's game requires not only exceptional physical ability, but also mental resilience and strategic foresight.

As one MLB executive put it: "It's hard enough to develop starting pitching right now, much less develop a starting pitcher who also happens to be capable of hitting in a major league lineup. The talent simply doesn't exist."

Why Ohtani Will Always Be the Exception

The most telling part of Ohtani's story is how he chose his team — not just any team, but one that would support him as a two-way player. The Los Angeles Dodgers weren't just buying talent; they were investing in a unique model.

As we move forward into the future of baseball, with ever-growing analytics and deeper specialization, it's unlikely that another player will ever walk in Ohtani's shoes — not because the game has gotten easier, but because he was born for this moment. He wasn't just the next big thing; he was something unprecedented.

In a sport where tradition often trumps innovation, Ohtani has shown us what happens when someone dares to rewrite the rules. And until that day comes — and it might never come — he remains the sole example of what two-way excellence can truly mean in baseball.

Final Thoughts

Shohei Ohtani is not just a player — he's a phenomenon. While his peers may try to emulate his success, they'll find that his combination of skill, mental strength, and sheer willpower makes him a once-in-a-generation talent. We're still in awe of what he did — and perhaps even more so, how he's made the idea of two-way players feel impossible for everyone else.

So when someone asks if there will be another Ohtani, my answer is always the same: not anytime soon. He may have been the only one to make it work, but his legacy isn't just about the numbers — it's about inspiring a new way of thinking in baseball.