Shohei Ohtani on Munetaka Murakami, tied for MLB lead with 14 HR: “As long as it’s not against the Dodgers…”
After the game, Ohtani spoke to reporters following his strong outing—7 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, and 8 strikeouts—despite taking the loss due to a lack of run support.
He was also asked about the hot start of White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami (26), who, as of May 6, is tied with Yankees star Aaron Judge for the MLB lead with 14 home runs.
Ohtani responded:
“I’ve heard he’s been hitting well, but I haven’t really been watching other games, so I’m not exactly sure how well. Still, it’s great that he’s in good form.”
He then added with a smile:
“I hope all the Japanese players do well—especially as long as it’s not when they’re playing against the Dodgers.”
It was also announced the previous day that Ohtani won the March/April Pitcher of the Month award—his first time receiving the honor as a pitcher. He reacted calmly:
“I kind of realized it when I was told—just ‘thank you,’ really. It’s still early in the season, so I don’t want to get too excited and just want to keep going.”
It remains to be seen whether Shohei Ohtani will regain his usual place among the home run leaders, or if 2026 becomes another pitching-forward season—similar to 2022, when he narrowly lost the MVP to Aaron Judge during Judge’s 62-homer campaign.
In 2022, Ohtani still produced at a high level offensively, slashing .273/.356/.519 with a .875 OPS, 34 home runs, 72 walks, a 144 OPS+, and 3.4 rWAR as a hitter. On the mound, however, he was dominant: 15–9 with a 2.33 ERA, a 172 ERA+, and 6.3 rWAR. While his offensive output dipped compared to surrounding seasons—46 home runs and a 157 OPS+ in his first 2021 AL MVP year, and 44 home runs with a 185 OPS+ in second 2023 AL MVP year—his elite pitching more than compensated.
That pattern has held throughout his peak years. In 2021, he posted a 9–2 record with a 141 ERA+ (4.1 fWAR), and in 2023 he went 10–5 with a 142 ERA+, continuing to provide frontline production on both sides of the ball.
So far in 2026, Ohtani’s offensive pace—an OPS+ of 133—would rank among the lower marks of his career (outside of the shortened 2020 season and his 2019 campaign). But when his bat takes even a slight step back, his arm has historically filled the gap—and then some. This year is no exception, with an eye-popping 416 ERA+ underscoring just how dominant he has been on the mound.