The Los Angeles Dodgers are rolling this season and are looking to become the first repeat World Series Champion since the turn of the century, 25 years ago. They are 56-33 and are once again one of the best teams in baseball. Los Angeles’s M.O. is continuously improving in any way possible, which begs the question of whether they should move their two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani back into a fielding role, which he hasn’t been in since 2021.
Ohtani Having Another MVP Season
Shohei Ohtani has been an assassin with the bat throughout his career. After creating the 50/50 club in 2024, Ohtani is not slowing down by any means this season. Ohtani has 30 home runs, which leads the National League, and is batting .282 with an OPS of over 1.000. Oh, and he’s back pitching. Ohtani is set to make his fourth start of the season against the Houston Astros. He has not been stretched out longer than two innings, but he is still working his way back from structural damage on his elbow, which is likely why he hasn’t been playing the field. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers should consider moving Ohtani back into a fielding role, especially with current right-fielder Teoscar Hernández struggling on defense.
The Case for Ohtani in the Field
Now, it’s certainly a far-fetched assessment to have your best overall player, who has been incredible with the bat in his hand all season, move into the outfield after not playing the field in nearly three years. However, there is starting to be a concern that the right field defense may be a problem for the Los Angeles Dodgers in September and October. Last season, Mookie Betts had struggled at short to begin his tenure there and then was moved to right field for the playoffs. But this season, the reports are that Betts has gotten extremely comfortable with the middle infield and that he will be staying there for the remainder of the year. This idea would move Hernández into the designated hitter role, and Ohtani could take over in right field, which he did play a little bit in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani recently (two years ago) underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL, and the primary reason we have not seen Ohtani in the field is because of that rehab process, and the threat of injuring that elbow further. However, that rehab seemed to have gone well, and Ohtani is back to throwing upper 90s on the mound. If he can pitch consistent 90 MPH fastballs, what is stopping him from catching fly balls and throwing them into the infield?
Will It Happen?
Now, the three-time MVP already has a lot on his plate to be the best hitter in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup, and now there’s some pressure on him pitching because the Dodgers need the help, but he’s truly a unicorn athlete that is so relentless of his pursuit to improving his game, which leads to the belief that he COULD be solid in an outfield role.
It’s also Ohtani’s 31st birthday today (July 5), so happy birthday to one of the most unique baseball players we may ever see.
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