Shohei Ohtani is a player who is often hyped as being one of the very best that baseball has witnessed play the sport. Indeed, it can be hard to argue against that notion.
Many will point to his recent performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 22, 2025, when he hit his 26th home run of the season and was responsible for five points on two hits in their 13-7 victory over the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium.
Often hailed as a baseball unicorn, he is a player who attracts a large fan base. He is regularly watched by casuals and even sports bettors alike. Many like to place a bet on him because of the quality he has at his disposal. Once they have read the Bovada casino reviews, which break down not only the casino games but also the sportsbook features and betting options, some bettors will head to the sportsbook and place a wager on him to do something, whether it’s an in-game prop or a future. Ohtani did win the 2021 and 2023 AL MVP awards after all.
But, despite being a two-way star and having an ability to produce unprecedented two-way stats that make him a generational talent, is Ohtani simply the most overrated player in baseball? There’s a strong argument to be had that may just suggest he is…

Why Ohtani can be considered the most overrated player ever
Despite some drawing comparisons and praising him in the same way that Babe Ruth was, some of his critics will point to certain aspects of the Japanese player’s ability and make the claim that he is overrated.
Before Juan Soto signed for the New York Mets with a 15-year, $765 million contract, Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract was the largest free agency deal to have ever been signed in baseball back in 2023. Naturally, that brings about a view that suggests he is one of the best to have played the sport. Some will argue that he will fail to live up to the expectations the contract brings, especially as not many have been able to be a two-way star, especially when he has struggled with injuries and inconsistencies throughout his career.
Being able to pitch and hit requires a strong body. There are significant physical demands that need to be met, and Ohtani has demonstrated the challenges that can be encountered in this regard. He has had his fair share of injuries throughout his career, including undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018 and missing the entire 2024 season as a pitcher because of another elbow injury. While he can hit home runs for fun, the Dodgers will have wanted him on the mound more often than he has been able to when he signed from the Los Angeles Angels. If he can’t stay there (or get on it), then the hype he receives can be unjustified.
His two-way status also encourages a level of hype that is too much, especially when some of his figures have been assessed. While there is no denying that it takes skill to pitch and hit in the same game, focusing on both areas of the game arguably takes away from his effectiveness if he focuses on one area specifically. For instance, he posted a 9.6 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) in 2022, which was lower than the 10.6 WAR that New York Yankees star Aaron Judge recorded that year. Still impressive, but it raises questions about his hype.

Exaggerated by the Media and Fans
It’s possible to argue and be critical of the hype that Ohtani has received because of the contract he was handed. At the same time, the attention he has received from fans and the media is also something that can be considered unnecessary.
During his time at the LA Angels, he was unable to help his team to any success. In the six years he spent three, they failed to reach the postseason in each of his campaigns, often finishing the regular season with a losing record. Given the quality of players around him at the Dodgers, it’s possible to suggest that they have had more of a collective impact on their success and winning the World Series than the Japanese two-way star has by himself.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the player from attracting plenty of hype from the media and fans. He is often characterized as a unicorn within the game by those who talk and watch baseball, but as noted already, his stats don’t typically shout out as an all-around great. Yes, he is solid in both departments, but again, his decision to do both doesn’t make him stand out compared to others.
In 2022, he had a 3.01 ERA, which is strong. However, it doesn’t rank him as an elite pitcher against the likes of Justin Verlander. In hitting, he may achieve excellent figures like (.282/.372/.578 career slash line), but they aren’t necessarily outshining other top hitters like Soto and Judge.