There’s no discussion as to why Shohei Ohtani is considered one of the best players in baseball ahead of the 2026 MLB season. However, if we analyze what Ohtani brings to the table as a pitcher and hitter separately, we can see that there’s a difference in terms of value and, ultimately, a huge difference in his draft stock.
Ohtani can be one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors when he’s at his best. However, the star hurler didn’t pitch at all in 2024 while rehabbing from a second major elbow surgery and was limited to 14 starts in 2025, going 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and 11.9 K/9 across 47 innings.
He also went 2-1 with a 4.43 ERA across four starts and 20.1 innings in the 2025 postseason. Things are expected to change in 2026, though.
What to Expect From Shohei Ohtani as a Pitcher in 2026 Fantasy Baseball
Ohtani is fully expected to be part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation, but it was unclear if he’d be fully stretched for the start of the 2026 campaign since he was away from spring training to represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic. However, Ohtani joined Japan exclusively as a hitter, so it was unclear if he’d be stretched enough by Opening Day.
The Dodgers see Ohtani as perhaps their No. 2 or No. 3 starter, but for that to happen, he needs to be completely stretched out and be ready to pitch at least 5 to 6 innings on a regular basis.
In case Ohtani is not ready to pitch on his regular workload once the regular season begins, he will remain in the rotation, although on a specific pitch count while having another pitcher in a piggyback role right behind him. That will have a direct impact on his fantasy upside for the 2026 campaign.
If Ohtani needs a few starts to be at his best, that will have a direct impact on his draft status. He’s a valuable option to look at as a starter, but he’s not expected to be one of the most coveted starters in fantasy in 2026, especially if he’s not stretched out to open the campaign.
Ohtani could be targeted in a mid-round if his pitching self is separated from the hitting one, as that’s the case in some formats.
However, if Ohtani is listed just as one player, he should be a first-round pick across all formats and should make a strong case for the 1.01 role. He’s an elite hitter who’s also an above-average pitcher, and he has room to get better as he stretches out and pitches more regularly. The upside is clearly there, so if there’s one player to take a gamble on,
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