Shohei Ohtani continues to thrive under pressure, regardless of the stage or stakes. As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for their season opener in Tokyo, all eyes are on the two-way superstar. However, for Ohtani, this is just another opportunity to excel. With the team set to compete in the highly anticipated Tokyo Series, former Miami Marlins president David Samson shared his thoughts on Ohtani’s ability to remain unfazed.
Speaking on his podcast Nothing Personal with David Samson, he highlighted Ohtani’s mental toughness, stating, “The Dodgers are countering Shohei Ohtani, who doesn’t feel the pressure that you may think he feels.” Samson’s confidence in Ohtani’s abilities was evident, even making a bold prediction about his offensive performance, suggesting that he would likely get a hit or even hit a home run. Given Ohtani’s track record of stepping up on the biggest stages, it’s not difficult to see why Samson has such faith in him.
Ohtani isn’t the only Dodgers player generating buzz. Samson also mentioned Yoshinobu Yamamoto, emphasizing that he is prepared to contribute as a starting pitcher. He noted, “The fact of the matter is Yamamoto as a starting pitcher is ready to give you five innings right now. The Dodgers bullpen is ready to go.” This reflects the depth and preparedness of the team as they head into the season.
Beyond his overall dominance, Ohtani’s unique hitting style further sets him apart from other elite sluggers. Unlike most power hitters who make contact in front of the plate, Ohtani allows the ball to travel deeper before making contact, thanks to his exceptional bat speed. The numbers back this up—while an average MLB hitter makes contact 2.4 inches in front of home plate, Ohtani connects 3.7 inches behind it. This approach allows him to generate immense power, as seen when he sent a 100.1 mph fastball from Paul Skenes 415 feet to center field. Against A.J. Minter, he turned an inside-out swing into a staggering 464-foot home run.
This ability to track pitches longer and adjust accordingly gives Ohtani a distinct edge over sluggers like Aaron Judge, Freddie Freeman, and Juan Soto. While they all excel in all-field power, Ohtani’s deeper contact point and quick bat speed make his hitting ability feel almost like a superpower.
As he prepares to kick off the 2025 season with the Dodgers, it’s clear that he plays the game differently—and often comes out on top.