Ohtani Chasing Cy Young Award
Shohei Ohtani is making a push for the 2026 Cy Young Award with the Dodgers, shifting focus from his historic 50/50 season to dominating as a pitcher. The two-way superstar's determination to add a Cy Young to his trophy case has become a central storyline during spring training. After redefining expectations for elite players, Ohtani now wants to prove his pitching can match his hitting prowess.
The Cy Young award is one of the few major accolades Shohei Ohtani has yet to add to his decorated trophy case, which already includes multiple MVP awards. His highest finish in the voting was fourth place in the American League in 2022. That season, he posted a 2.33 ERA with 219 strikeouts over 166 innings pitched for the Los Angeles Angels. After not pitching in the 2024 season while recovering from elbow surgery, Ohtani returned to the mound for the Dodgers in 2025. In 14 regular-season starts, he recorded a 2.87 ERA with 62 strikeouts across 47 innings, demonstrating a sharp return to form. He then made four starts in the postseason during the Dodgers' run to a World Series title. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has publicly stated he expects Ohtani to be in the Cy Young conversation in 2026. The team's plan to use a six-man starting rotation could help manage Ohtani's workload, a key factor for a two-way player. Ohtani himself has said his primary goal is to remain healthy and pitch a full season. The main hurdle for Ohtani's candidacy will be his total innings pitched. Projections for the 2026 season estimate he will throw between 110 and 117 innings. This would be significantly lower than the typical volume for a Cy Young winner, putting more emphasis on the exceptional quality of his outings. Ohtani will face stiff competition in the National League. The reigning NL Cy Young winner is Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who is a favorite to repeat. Ohtani's own teammate, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, is also considered a top contender for the award. Only a handful of players in history have won both an MVP and a Cy Young Award. If Ohtani were to win, he would join an elite group and further solidify his unique legacy as a dominant two-way force in modern baseball.
