Shohei Ohtani intensifies bid to win Cy Young Award. [Image Source: OLYMPICS]
Shohei Ohtani is entering the 2026 MLBseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers determined to win the Cy Young Award, the major pitching honor that has so far eluded him. After missing the entire 2024 season due to a second ulnar collateral ligament surgery, Ohtani will return as a two-way player, sparking excitement about his potential impact on the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
Exceptional Dedication to Pitching Revealed Through Ohtani’s Intense Teaching and Video Reviews
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior initially expected challenges managing Ohtani’s pitching development given his dual role as a hitter and pitcher. However, Prior soon realized Ohtani’s extraordinary commitment as he studied game footage, seeking detailed feedback even while navigating the demands of hitting. Prior recalled that Ohtani was consistently engaged, with,
“Most guys will take a breather,”
Prior explained.
“He’ll start rattling off and start talking about what’s going on because he knows obviously, his time’s limited. I didn’t have an appreciation that that’s how it was going to be. I thought it was going to be more pregame, and then he goes and plays, and maybe there’s some more post-evaluation. But he was like every other pitcher — present in the moment.”
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, has noticed Ohtani’s clear mission to excel on the mound. Friedman noted,
“He seems like he’s on a mission, pitching-wise,”
and added,
“Whenever we’ve seen him on a mission, good things happen.”
Despite being sidelined from pitching during 2024, Ohtani’s focus on baserunning led to an impressive increase in stolen bases and a historic milestone as the first designated hitter to win a second MVP.
Teammates Express Strong Confidence in Ohtani’s Potential to Secure the Cy Young Award
Ohtani’s teammates are optimistic about his chances to clinch the Cy Young this season. Catcher Will Smith confidently stated,
“There’s no ceiling with him. He can go out there and win a Cy Young this year. I have no doubt about that.”
“He wants a Cy Young. He wants a Cy Young, and you can tell with the way he’s carrying himself here recently.”
Fast-Paced Spring Training Signals a Focused Return to Pitching Excellence
At 31 years old, Ohtani began spring training with a new intensity, throwing consistently in the mid-90s during Dodgers workouts, which contrasts his usual gradual increase in velocity. On February 17, in a simulated inning against hitters, he reached 98 mph, an outing described as “electric” by Rushing. Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez predicted,
“I think this year we’re going to expect a different Shohei on the mound.”
Ohtani’s Strong Past Performance Highlights His Pitching Potential Despite Injuries
Despite undergoing two elbow surgeries, Ohtani’s 2021-2023 pitching statistics with the Angels are outstanding. Over 74 starts, he recorded a 2.84 ERA, 542 strikeouts, and 143 walks in 428⅓ innings. Among 57 pitchers with at least 400 innings pitched, only Max Fried and Max Scherzer posted better ERAs, while Blake Snell had the highest strikeout rate. Completing a full offseason before returning late last year, Ohtani is well-positioned to maximize his skills within the Dodgers’ renowned pitching development environment.
Competition Within Dodgers’ Rotation Expected to Elevate Performance Standards
The Dodgers boast a strong pitching rotation including two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, top prospect Yoshinobu Yamamoto—third in last year’s NL Cy Young voting—and Tyler Glasnow. Mark Prior highlighted how this competitive atmosphere encourages pitchers to raise their game. He explained,
“It’s the competitive standard you start creating,”
adding,
“And then, it becomes like a brotherhood or like a loyalty thing, however you’d like to describe it, like you want to hold up the standard that is being set by whether it’s one pitcher or maybe three or four of them. And when you get to that part of the rotation culture, that’s when teams get extremely competitive, and they get extremely lethal because nobody wants to be the weak link.”
Refining Pitch Arsenal and Approach Is Crucial Following Ohtani’s Gradual Return in 2025
After returning to the mound in 2025, Ohtani worked towards rebuilding his pitching stamina, finishing with a 3.34 ERA, 90 strikeouts, and 16 walks across 67⅓ innings including playoff appearances. Prior observed Ohtani’s adaptability in using pitch selection tactically, such as relying on curveballs during times when his fastball velocity dipped, or integrating his splitter during the NL Championship Series. Prior commented,
“I do think last year it was important for him to just get back, get healthy and get pitching,”
and that now,
“it’s about maybe refining the usages, the arsenal, maybe how he attacks hitters, and knowing what his stuff is now.”
Managing Workload Amid World Baseball Classic and Season Demands
Before leaving for the World Baseball Classic on February 23 to exclusively bat for Team Japan, Ohtani completed two near-full-intensity bullpen sessions and pitched two innings. Though the international trip and tournament schedule create challenges for his pitching preparation, the Dodgers plan to carefully manage his workload. Thanks to depth in their rotation—including pitchers Emmet Sheehan, River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt, Roki Sasaki, Landon Knack, and Justin Wrobleski—the team may limit Ohtani to fewer than 25 starts this year to preserve his effectiveness and health.
Confidence in Ohtani’s Ability to Deliver Under Pressure Reflects Teamwide Expectations
Third baseman Max Muncy encapsulated the widespread belief in Ohtani’s clutch performances, stating,
“He keeps getting put in these spots where you expect something incredible to happen, and he rarely disappoints,”
and added,
“To me, it’s going to be the same thing this year — he’s not going to disappoint.”
