Shohei Ohtani’s remarkable performance from 2021 to 2025 has firmly placed him among the most accomplished players in Major League Baseball history. As a two-way player excelling both as a pitcher and hitter, Ohtani has redefined expectations and continues to make a significant impact on the game. With the 2025 season now concluded and Ohtani considered a frontrunner for his fourth Most Valuable Player award in five years, the scope of his achievements invites comparison with the greatest five-year periods in MLB history.
Ohtani began his dominant stretch in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels, captivating fans and analysts alike with his rare combination of power at the plate and effectiveness on the mound. That season, he hit 46 home runs while posting a 3.18 ERA in 23 starts, earning him his first MVP award. He followed it with similarly strong performances in subsequent years, collecting another MVP in 2022 and continuing to post elite numbers both offensively and as a starting pitcher.
In 2024, after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani maintained his high level of play despite undergoing right elbow surgery the previous year that limited his pitching appearances. As a designated hitter, he contributed consistently with a batting average over .300 along with more than 35 home runs. In 2025, he resumed pitching duties and continued to provide the Dodgers with valuable innings, helping them remain in postseason contention.
During this five-year span, Ohtani has accumulated impressive totals in virtually every major statistical category. Offensively, he surpassed 180 home runs and drove in well over 400 runs. On the mound, he struck out more than 600 batters while maintaining an ERA below 3.50. Such a two-way workload has not been seen since the days of Babe Ruth, and even then, Ruth did not achieve sustained two-way excellence across multiple seasons as Ohtani has.
His lasting impact on the sport extends beyond statistics. Ohtani’s success has inspired a new generation of players and influenced roster-building strategies across the league. While debates over the greatest five-year stretches in MLB history often include names like Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, and Pedro Martinez, Ohtani’s unique contributions in both pitching and batting give his performance a distinctive place in the conversation.
As voting for the 2025 MVP concludes, Ohtani’s achievements continue to resonate. Regardless of the final outcome, his five-year run stands as one of the most singular accomplishments in Major League Baseball history.
