Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani

Two-way dominance, back in full

After a year spent only hitting, Shohei Ohtani returned to both sides of the ball in 2026 — and reminded everyone why that is the rarest thing in the sport. He spent the first half terrorizing opponents from the batter's box and the mound at once, pacing the field in the National League MVP conversation.

At the plate, he hit .293 with 22 home runs and a .403 on-base percentage, and passed 300 career home runs earlier in the month. On the mound, he was arguably even better: a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts, 95 strikeouts, opponents hitting .180 against him. Either half of that line would make an All-Star; together they make a season without a real comparison.

He was voted the National League's starting designated hitter for the sixth straight year. The Dodgers held him out of the game in Philadelphia to rest a minor knee issue — a decision made with October in mind. That's the luxury Ohtani gives this team: a first half so complete that resting the best player in the game is a move you make for the long view, not a loss you feel.