Is Shohei Ohtani Overrated? The Myth vs. Reality of Baseball’s “Unicorn”

Unicorn or Myth? 

Shohei Ohtani is constantly called a unicorn — a once-in-a-generation player who can do things no one else can. But is he truly that mythical? Or is he simply a great player elevated by narrative, rule changes, and hype? 

Here’s the reality: everyone treats him like a magical creature. But maybe he’s just a very talented horse with a horn on his head — impressive, but not flawless or untouchable. 

Role Reality 

Ohtani’s reputation as an elite two-way star is one of his biggest selling points. But over eight MLB seasons, he has pitched in 20 or more games only three times, appearing in 102 total games as a pitcher. For comparison, a full-time ace like Clayton Kershaw has dipped below 20 starts only twice across 18 seasons. 

Yes, Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023, which typically requires about a year of recovery. He didn’t pitch in 2024, but even outside that season, his pitching workload has been inconsistent. If he truly is the sport’s premier two-way superstar, shouldn’t his presence on the mound be more consistent? 

Rule-Book Help 

Some of Ohtani’s success also aligns with rule changes implemented by MLB. The universal DH allows him to hit without playing the field, giving him far more plate appearances than pitchers in past eras ever had. New rules also let him remain in the game as a hitter even after being removed as a pitcher — a direct benefit for his unique skill set. 

Larger bases have made stealing easier across the league, which helped Ohtani jump from averaging around 20 steals per season to reaching 50. If a player needs modern rules tailored to his skill set, does that diminish the “unicorn” narrative, or does it simply reflect adaptation? 

Hitting and Running 

Ohtani has shown flashes of greatness as a hitter — elite power, strong on-base ability, and impressive speed. But “flashes” don’t automatically translate into all-time dominance. 

Despite his reputation for power, he has never led MLB in home runs in a season. He’s never led his league in batting average, and his on-base title benefited from hitting in a loaded lineup. While his 50-home-run, 50-steal season was historic, he has reached 50 homers only twice and hasn’t consistently led the league in either category. His career stolen-base average still sits around the mid-20s. 

Great? Absolutely. Unmatched and untouchable? That’s debatable. 

MVP or System Fit? 

MVP means most valuable player — the individual who impacts winning more than anyone else. Ohtani has won four MVP awards, including two with the Dodgers, who also won the World Series in those seasons. Yet in those postseason runs, he wasn’t the driving force. When he struggled, his team still won. 

Compare that to Aaron Judge. When Judge thrives, the Yankees usually thrive. When he struggles or is injured, the team’s performance often dips. That contrast raises questions about what “most valuable” really means. 

If Ohtani is truly the most valuable player in baseball, why doesn’t his absence or struggles have a more visible impact on team success? And if he’s celebrated for being a two-way force, shouldn’t that two-way impact be consistently visible? 

Final Word 

The “greatest ever” debate always suffers from comparing different eras, and Ohtani’s case is no different. He is undeniably talented, exciting, and unique. But the narrative that he’s the greatest player of all time — or even unquestionably the best player of his own era — may be premature. 

This isn’t an argument that Ohtani isn’t special. He absolutely is. But calling him a once-in-history phenomenon who has no equal may be pushing the story further than the numbers support. 

Maybe the unicorn label is more marketing than reality.