Ohtani in a slump? Sure, by his standards—but if you zoom out, the numbers still speak to a guy who’s producing at a level most MLB hitters would kill for.
Here’s the thing: Dave Roberts’ point about over-aggressiveness tracks. Ohtani’s a perfectionist and a competitor—add in the emotional whirlwind of new fatherhood, and it’s understandable he might be pressing a little at the plate. Chasing that fastball on a 2-0 count with the game on the line? That’s not vintage Ohtani, that’s a guy trying to do too much.
Plus, the pitching aspect can’t be ignored. He’s skipping bullpen sessions, still building back up, and probably juggling a lot behind the scenes. That mental load, even if he’s not actively pitching yet, can bleed into his hitting rhythm.
But should fans panic? Not at all. His OPS is still solid, he’s leading the team in homers, and history shows that he always finds a way to rebound. Once his timing smooths out and he recalibrates that plate discipline, expect him to return to his MVP form.
What do you think Ohtani needs most right now: patience, reps, or just a mental reset?