Shohei Ohtani Chases Cy Young Glory

Baseball's two-way superstar aims to add coveted pitching award to his growing list of accolades.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:59am

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A cubist-style painting depicting Shohei Ohtani's pitching and batting motions broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, capturing the dynamic energy and multi-faceted nature of his game.Ohtani's quest for baseball's ultimate pitching honor is a study in contrasts, as the two-way star's dynamic movements are deconstructed into a cubist masterpiece.Seattle Today

After two record-breaking seasons, Japanese baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani is poised to potentially claim the prestigious Cy Young Award, MLB's top pitching honor. Despite his incredible dual-threat abilities as both a dominant pitcher and power hitter, Ohtani has yet to win the Cy Young, sparking debate over whether he can finally achieve the feat in 2026 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Why it matters

Ohtani's quest for the Cy Young Award is a landmark moment in baseball history, as no player has ever won the award while also being an elite hitter. His potential achievement would cement his status as one of the greatest players of his generation and redefine the boundaries of what's possible for two-way superstars in the sport.

The details

After signing a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, Ohtani is primed to take his game to new heights. In the past two seasons, he has become the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single year, while also posting Cy Young-caliber numbers on the mound. However, he has yet to claim the coveted pitching award, leaving many to wonder if 2026 will be the year he finally breaks through.

  • Ohtani signed his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in the 2024 offseason.
  • In the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Ohtani became the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single year.
  • The 2026 MLB season will be Ohtani's third with the Dodgers, as he continues his pursuit of the Cy Young Award.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A Japanese baseball superstar who has emerged as one of the most dominant two-way players in MLB history, signing a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The professional baseball team that signed Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract, making him one of the highest-paid players in the sport.

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What they’re saying

“Shohei Ohtani is redefining what's possible in baseball. To be an elite pitcher and hitter at the same time is truly remarkable.”

— Buster Olney, ESPN Baseball Analyst

“Ohtani's quest for the Cy Young Award is a testament to his incredible talent and work ethic. If he can pull it off, it will be a historic achievement in the game.”

— Alex Rodriguez, Former MLB Player and Analyst

What’s next

Ohtani will look to continue his dominant pitching performances throughout the 2026 season, with the Cy Young Award being the ultimate goal. The Dodgers will be closely monitoring his progress and providing him with the necessary support to help him achieve this milestone.

The takeaway

Shohei Ohtani's pursuit of the Cy Young Award represents a unique and unprecedented challenge in baseball history. If he can become the first player to win the prestigious pitching award while also being an elite hitter, it will solidify his status as one of the greatest players of his generation and inspire a new generation of two-way superstars to push the boundaries of what's possible in the sport.