Shohei Ohtani has been named the National League MVP for the 2025 season, receiving all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. This marks Ohtani’s fourth MVP award in the past five seasons, a feat achieved in unprecedented fashion. With this latest accolade, he joins an elite group of players, with only Barry Bonds holding more MVP titles at seven.
Ohtani’s exceptional performance included a successful return to pitching, further solidifying his reputation as one of the game’s greatest talents. He led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a championship while also being a standout offensive player. Following Ohtani in the MVP voting were Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber in second place, and Juan Soto of the New York Mets in third. Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and Phillies shortstop Trea Turner rounded out the voting.
Historic Achievements and Unmatched Performance
At 31 years old, Ohtani has made history by becoming the only player to win MVP in both the American and National Leagues, a privilege he shares with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. Furthermore, he is the only athlete across the four major American professional sports leagues to achieve more than one unanimous MVP award.
According to ESPN Research, Ohtani is the first player in Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), and National Football League (NFL) history to win both an MVP and a championship in each of his first two seasons with a team. His remarkable journey began when he signed a heavily deferred 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023.
In the 2025 season, Ohtani posted impressive offensive numbers, batting .282 with a .392 on-base percentage and a .622 slugging percentage, hitting 55 home runs—setting a franchise record for the second consecutive year. In addition to his hitting prowess, he made a noteworthy return to pitching after recovering from a second repair of his ulnar collateral ligament. During the regular season, he made 14 starts, achieving a 2.87 ERA and striking out 62 batters in 47 innings.
Playoff Brilliance and Legacy
Ohtani’s impact extended beyond the regular season. In the postseason, he showcased his skills during the NL Championship Series, where he pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters in Game 4, leading the Dodgers to their second consecutive pennant. His performance included three home runs, further highlighting his dual-threat abilities.
In the World Series, Ohtani reached base all nine times he came to bat in Game 3, with four of those times being intentional walks. Since the beginning of 2021, when he fully embraced his role as a two-way player while with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani has accumulated a major league-leading 44.4 FanGraphs wins above replacement. The second place on that list is held by New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who has 42.8 wins.
Ohtani’s extraordinary achievements, both on the mound and at the plate, continue to redefine the possibilities of modern baseball. His unanimous MVP win for the 2025 season is not just a testament to his talent, but also a reflection of his significant impact on the sport.
