It’s Shohei Ohtani’s world, and we’re all just living in it! The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar continues to redefine the game, showcasing a rare two-way ability—dominating both at the plate and on the mound. However, his pitching numbers took a hit in recent seasons, prompting one of MLB’s greatest players, Barry Bonds, to offer him some advice. But why did one of the best have to step in? Let’s juggle with some numbers, shall we?
Enter Shohei Ohtani’s Cy Young pitching numbers. The Japanese juggernaut was one of the winningest pitchers in baseball, with a career-low 1.86 ERA across the 21 games where he pitched. He even had a 10-4 record, where he managed to strike out 174 batters in just 140 innings, along with four complete games and a shutout.
However, the former baseball outfielder, Barry Bonds, also known as the “home run king” for hitting most career home runs (762), wants Ohtani to focus on what he does best, and that’s hitting.
On March 7, during an interview with All the Smoke Porudtcions, Bonds said, “I just hope he just stays in the hitting category because his hitting ability is off the chart.” So, why does he say so? Well, despite having quite good numbers as a pitcher, Barry Bonds believes that too much focus on pitching might exhaust Ohtani, as he has to do both.
Bonds heaped praise on Ohtani, crediting him as a complete player, however, admitting, “The game has just changed. The game today is way different than when I played. Ohtani is not going to hit two home runs without seeing one go right at him in my generation. I don’t care what he does. He’s not going to steal two bases without somebody taking out his kneecap and slowing him down because it was a different game back then.”
Barry Bonds wants to see Shohei Ohtani focus on hitting.⁰⁰ALL THE SMOKE with @BarryBonds is now available on YouTube! pic.twitter.com/M5KFkomoPO
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) March 6, 2025
Bonds believe that Ohtani should come out of the bullpen, as he has been a designated hitter for the Dodgers as well. Ohtani’s been great as a reliever too, but given that he makes a lot of starts as a pitcher, it may further cause some damage given that he has come off an injury lately. So, why fix something that isn’t broken yet, right?
It is no secret that Ohtani’s remarkable versatility remains one of the hottest stories of 2025. With fans eagerly anticipating his return to the mound after his 2023 injury, the Dodgers are taking a cautious approach. Manager Dave Roberts believes patience is key, emphasizing that rushing Ohtani back too soon could have the opposite effect. As excitement builds, all eyes are on Ohtani’s journey back to full strength.
The Dodgers’ superstar looks to make a blockbuster comeback
Look who’s back! It’s the ultimate superstar—Shohei Ohtani, who has made his way into the Cactus League, displaying his sheer talent and giving hints of making something bigger in the upcoming season. Who would’ve thought that the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar would launch a powerful home run to the left field while playing against the Los Angeles Angels? However, Ohtani doesn’t seem overconfident, as he is back from an injury and wants to focus on his health, which will help him to navigate through his at-bats with ease and effectiveness. But that’s not all!
While Barry Bonds believes that Ohtani should focus on his hitting ability more, he is preparing to leave a significant impact as a two-way player, starting with the pitching in April. However, his focus on playing both ways may involve some major adjustments, as suggested by Dave Roberts, who wants to keep things simple. To be precise, some adjustments in his offense production along with a reduction in at-bats and stolen bases could allow him to restore his energy and carry out the pitching while continuing with his excellent hitting too.
We all hope that Shohei Ohtani continues with his stellar performance on the field, and we cannot wait for it. What according to you should Ohtani focus on—will it be pitching or hitting? Share your thoughts in the comment below.
The post Shohei Ohtani Advised to Stick to Hitting Despite His Cy Young-esque Pitching Numbers By MLB’s Home Run King appeared first on EssentiallySports.
