Bold claim: Shohei Ohtani could redefine the Cy Young race this year. And this is the part most people miss: his journey from a heavy two-way workload to a focused, high-impact pitcher could elevate the Dodgers in unprecedented ways. Here’s a clearer, beginner-friendly take on why that matters—and what could happen next.
As Ohtani rehabbed last year, he built stamina and began resembling a true starting pitcher again. Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior initially worried that the balance between hitting and pitching would suffer, given the demands of a two-way role. Yet Ohtani kept proving the doubt wrong. He treated every inning as a chance to learn, not just to perform. If he wasn’t about to lead off an inning, he’d retreat to a quiet spot near the bench with his catcher and Prior to review what happened, how hitters responded, and what adjustments might follow. He often posed questions mid-routine, ready for answers even as he rushed to suit up for the next at-bat. Prior noticed the difference: most pitchers take a breather between efforts, but Ohtani would start discussing strategy the moment he sensed the next window of action—fully engaged because his window was finite.
Dodgers staff saw two distinct Ohtanis: one when he hit, relaxed and upbeat; another when he pitched, driven and intense. As spring training began and Ohtani prepared for a full-time two-way role for the first time in three years, that focus became even more evident.
Dodgers executives believe he’s on a mission with his pitching. Andrew Friedman, the team’s president of baseball operations, has seen him channel that mindset before and expects big outcomes when he’s truly locked in. In 2024, after Tommy John-related hiccups, Ohtani shifted gears from pitching to base-running, posting a season that showed his remarkable athletic range and earning him MVP honors as a designated hitter. Now, the question isn’t whether he can be great at pitching—it’s how spectacular that greatness might look. Will he chase a Cy Young this year? Many teammates think so.
Ohtani’s mound work has looked electric. In Dodgers’ first official spring workout, he threw mid-90s consistently, and during a later session he touched 98 mph in a simulated inning, a strong sign for a pitcher who values command and variety. Teammates like Teoscar Hernández expect a notably different, sharper Shawhei on the mound this season.
Historically, Ohtani’s six-pitch mix and his elite strikeout ability have already made him one of the sport’s most formidable talents. Between 2021 and 2023, despite two elbow surgeries, he logged impressive numbers in 74 Angels starts, with a minuscule handful of pitchers matching or beating his ERA in that span. The lingering question has been: how much more upside remains, now that he’s back in a traditional rotation with a focused offseason?
The current setup—the Dodgers’ depth of young, controllable starters and a culture that emphasizes rotation strength—creates an ideal environment for Ohtani to maximize pitching output. Prior envisions a dynamic, competitive rotation where multiple peers push each other toward excellence, potentially driving Ohtani to reach peak performance more quickly. The idea is a chain reaction: a stronger rotation raises the standard, which in turn raises everyone’s play, including Ohtani’s.
Even with a cautious approach to his workload and flexible planning to accommodate rest days between starts, the path to a full, healthy season remains within reach. If Ohtani stays healthy and embraces a heavy pitching load, 25 starts could be within reach, a target that would still rank among the most demanding seasons in recent memory. Such a workload is feasible given the Dodgers’ depth, which includes a slate of optionable young arms ready to support or relieve him as needed.
As for motivation, teammates believe Ohtani’s drive is unwavering. Max Muncy notes that when Ohtani is placed in high-pressure moments, he tends to meet the moment with extraordinary results. In other words: expectations may be sky-high, but so too is his track record of surpassing them.
Bottom line: Ohtani has already proven his resilience and versatility, and the 2026 season could offer the clearest demonstration yet of how far his pitching can take him. If the stars align—health, routine, and continued support from a robust Dodgers rotation—this could be the year when Ohtani challenges the Cy Young once again and cements his status as one of baseball’s most exceptional talents. Do you think he’ll win the Cy Young this year, or will the focus stay on remaining a dominant two-way force? Share your thoughts in the comments.
