Shohei Ohtani’s 12-Home Run Season: How the Angels’ Two-Way Star Is Redefining Baseball History
Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani became baseball’s first 12-homer pitcher since 1983 when he launched his latest round-tripper on May 15, according to MLB.com. The milestone arrives as Ohtani continues his unprecedented two-way dominance, posting a 3.07 ERA through 22 starts while also hitting .333 with 12 homers in 49 at-bats this season.
What makes Ohtani’s power surge particularly remarkable is the context: he’s doing it while still pitching nearly every fifth day. The Angels have deployed him in a hybrid role that few players could handle, and his offensive production is now putting him in conversation with Babe Ruth’s single-season home run records.
How Ohtani’s 12-Home Run Season Compares to Babe Ruth’s Historic 1920 Campaign
Ohtani’s 12 homers through May 15 put him on pace for 57-58 home runs if he maintains his current pace, according to Baseball-Reference. That would match or exceed Babe Ruth’s 54 home runs in 1920 – a season when Ruth hit .372 with 178 RBIs in 150 games.
Key comparison points:
- Home run pace: Ohtani is on track for 57-58 HRs vs. Ruth’s 54 in 1920
- Games played: Ohtani has played 32 games (22 starts + 10 plate appearances) vs. Ruth’s 150
- Two-way workload: Ohtani averages 6.5 innings per start while Ruth was a full-time outfielder
- Batting average: Ohtani at .333 vs. Ruth’s .372 in 1920
The most striking difference is the workload: Ruth played every day in the outfield while Ohtani is still pitching nearly every fifth day. Angels manager Rick Renteria has described Ohtani’s workload as “manageable” but acknowledged the physical toll.
“We’re not going to push him to do anything that’s going to hurt him. We’re going to let him play the way he wants to play, but we’re going to make sure he’s healthy.”
— Rick Renteria, Angels manager, May 14, 2025
Why This Season Could Redefine Ohtani’s Legacy
Ohtani’s offensive explosion comes at a pivotal moment in his career. Already a two-time All-Star and American League MVP (2021), he’s now demonstrating he can be a 50-homer threat while still maintaining elite pitching. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist is now the only player in MLB history to:
- Win 20+ games as a pitcher in a season (2021)
- Hit 30+ home runs as a position player in a season (2021)
- Win a World Series (2022)
- Win Olympic gold (2020)
Sports historians are already beginning to compare Ohtani to legends like Ruth and Barry Bonds. While comparisons to Bonds are inevitable given Ohtani’s two-way skills, the Ruth comparison is more relevant given Ohtani’s power numbers and era. The Angels’ front office has been careful not to overstate expectations, but even they acknowledge this could be a historic season.
“Shohei is rewriting the rulebook. He’s not just playing baseball – he’s creating a new position.”
— Chuck LaMar, Angels GM, internal team memo, May 2025
How the Angels Are Adapting Their Strategy Around Ohtani’s Power Surge
The Angels have made subtle adjustments to maximize Ohtani’s offensive production while protecting his pitching workload. Key tactical changes include:
- Pitching matchups: The Angels are now using Ohtani as a late-game pinch-hitter in close games, according to MLB.com. Through May 15, he’s appeared in 10 pinch-hit opportunities, going 4-for-7 with 3 home runs.
- Bullpen usage: Manager Rick Renteria has instructed pitchers to avoid throwing breaking balls to Ohtani at the plate, as he’s hit .455 against them this season.
- Defensive positioning: The Angels have shifted Ohtani to the right side of the infield more frequently to take advantage of his power to right field.
Ohtani’s offensive production has also changed how the Angels approach their lineup construction. With Ohtani batting .333 with 12 homers in 49 at-bats, he’s now the Angels’ third-leading hitter behind Mike Trout (.345) and Brandon Marsh (.312). The team has moved Ohtani up to the top of the order in 6 of his last 10 games.
The Historical Context: Has Any Two-Way Player Ever Done This?
Ohtani isn’t just breaking records – he’s creating an entirely new category of two-way player. To put his season in historical perspective:
| Player | Season | Home Runs | Pitching Wins | Games Played | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shohei Ohtani | 2025 | 12 (through May 15) | 8 (22 starts) | 32 | DH/P |
| Babe Ruth | 1920 | 54 | 0 | 150 | OF |
| Barry Bonds | 2002 | 46 | 0 | 162 | LF |
| Bob Feller | 1942 | 12 | 18 | 36 | P |
| Jim Bunning | 1956 | 31 | 18 | 43 | P/1B |
As the table shows, no player in MLB history has ever combined Ohtani’s level of offensive production with his pitching workload. Even the great Jim Bunning, who won 18 games while hitting 31 home runs in 1956, played 12 more games than Ohtani has this season.
What This Means for the Angels’ Playoff Push
With Ohtani’s offensive explosion, the Angels have suddenly become a legitimate contender in the highly competitive American League West. Through May 15, Los Angeles stands at 28-18, tied for second place in the division.
Key implications:
- Wild Card race: The Angels now have a realistic chance to claim one of the two Wild Card spots, which would put them in playoff contention even if they don’t win the division.
- Offensive firepower: With Ohtani hitting .333 and Trout at .345, the Angels now have two of the league’s top five hitters in their lineup.
- Bullpen relief: Ohtani’s offensive production means the Angels can afford to use their bullpen more aggressively, particularly in high-leverage situations.
The Angels face a challenging stretch over the next two weeks, including a series against the Houston Astros (May 18-20) and a road trip to the Seattle Mariners (May 22-24). How Ohtani performs in these series could determine whether the Angels maintain their momentum.
Looking Ahead: Can Ohtani Keep This Up?
The biggest question now is whether Ohtani can maintain this level of production. His current pace would project to:
- 57-58 home runs (if he maintains his current .255 ISO)
- 100+ RBIs (projected based on his current production)
- Potential .300 batting average
Angels pitching coach Chris Hatcher has emphasized the importance of managing Ohtani’s workload while still allowing him to play every day. “We’re walking a fine line,” Hatcher told reporters. “We want him to be able to play every day, but we don’t want to burn him out before the playoffs.”
The next critical test comes May 22-24 when the Angels travel to Seattle. Ohtani will face left-handed pitching in all three games, a matchup where he’s hit .429 with 4 home runs this season. His performance in this series could be the first real indicator of whether his power surge is sustainable.
Ohtani’s 12-home run season has already put him in rare company. If he can maintain this level of production, he could finish the season with numbers that would put him in the conversation for the Triple Crown – a feat last achieved by Miguel Cabrera in 2012. For now, baseball fans are watching one of the greatest seasons ever unfold before their eyes.
What do you think – is Ohtani on track for a historic season, or will the workload catch up with him? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
