Shohei Ohtani has been nothing short of remarkable in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers thus far, which has included breaking records, twice earning National League Player of the Week honors, being on track for an All-Star Game selection and potential Home Run Derby participant as well.
Othani also has set a new Dodgers record for consecutive games with at least one RBI as his streak reached 10 on Wednesday night. Ohtani achieved the milestone with a leadoff home run, his second game in a row opening the night with a long ball.
He went into the series finale against the Chicago White Sox tied with Bob Fisher (1913), Eddie Brown (1924), Augie Galan (1944), Roy Campanella (1955) and Matt Kemp (2011-2012) for the Dodgers record of nine games in a row with an RBI.
Earlier this season, Ohtani broke the Dodgers record for most home runs by a Japanese-born player with his eighth of the year. He had been tied with manager Dave Roberts, who hit seven home runs during his Dodgers playing career.
Ohtani took hold of sole possession of the Dodgers record by slugging his eighth homer of the season on May 4, against the Atlanta Braves.
The 29-year-old has additionally tied or set multiple Dodgers home run records with respect to distance at Dodger Stadium during the Statcast Era (since 2015).
For all his success throughout the season, Ohtani has been on a torrid pace since replacing the injured Mookie Betts as the leadoff hitter in the Dodgers lineup.
In eight full games since moving into the leadoff spot, Ohtani went 13-for-31 (.419) with three doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI. He entered play Wednesday leading the Majors in batting average (.320), while also ranking third in runs scored (63), home runs (24), RBI (60) and total hits (99).
Ohtani’s 25 homers are most among all NL players.
He’s on pace to set new career highs in hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, stolen bases and runs scored.
Will Shohei Ohtani do Home Run Derby?
Ohtani has expressed an interest in participating in the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field, but the Dodgers may be reluctant to allow him to do so because of his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani has only participated in the Home Run Derby once in his career, in 2021 when he made MLB history by becoming the first pitcher to ever take swings in the event.
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