Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers star known for his historic achievements in Major League Baseball, is now focusing intently on winning the Cy Young award. As he prepares for the 2026 season, the two-way player is determined to add this prestigious pitching honor to his already impressive collection of accolades, which includes four MVP awards and a groundbreaking 50 home run, 50 stolen base season.
Dodgers Leadership and Teammates Notice Ohtani’s Focus
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, has observed Ohtani’s renewed dedication to pitching. According to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, Friedman remarked on Ohtani’s focused mindset, saying he appears to be “on a mission, pitching-wise.” Friedman emphasized the positive outcomes that typically follow when Ohtani demonstrates this level of determination.
Ohtani’s catchers, Will Smith and Dalton Rushing, also expressed strong confidence in his pursuit. Smith highlighted that Ohtani’s potential knows no limits and predicted,
“He can go out there and win a Cy Young this year. I have no doubt about that.”
Rushing echoed the sentiment, noting the star’s ambition and recent demeanor, saying,
“He wants a Cy Young, and you can tell with the way he’s carrying himself here recently.”
Past Performance and Current Health Status
While Ohtani finished fourth in the Cy Young voting back in 2022 during his time with the Los Angeles Angels, injuries have since affected his pitching contributions. Since 2023, he has struggled to showcase the full extent of his talent on the mound. However, his career statistics remain impressive, boasting a 3.00 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 670 to 182 over 100 major league starts.
Now fully recovered and with his focus crystal clear, Ohtani is aiming to reach a historic milestone. Securing the Cy Young would place him among a very exclusive group of players, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest in baseball history. If he maintains his health and form, Ohtani’s dream of capturing the Cy Young award is well within reach, and the Dodgers are keeping a close watch on his compelling pursuit.
