Shohei Ohtani NL MVP Race: John Smoltz Explains Why Beating Dodgers Superstar Is Nearly Impossible

Shohei Ohtani‘s NL MVP race has taken an intriguing turn after the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar temporarily paused his return to the pitching mound because of lingering left knee discomfort. While injuries naturally create uncertainty around any award race, Hall of Fame pitcher and Atlanta Braves legend John Smoltz believes the conversation surrounding the National League Most Valuable Player award remains remarkably simple: unless another player produces a truly historic campaign, Ohtani continues to set a standard that is almost impossible to surpass.

The Japanese superstar has transformed modern baseball by succeeding as both an elite starting pitcher and one of the league’s most dangerous hitters. That rare combination has changed how voters, analysts, and fans evaluate individual greatness. According to Smoltz, baseball’s modern approach to workload management makes it even more difficult for traditional stars to build an MVP case capable of matching Ohtani’s overall value.

Why John Smoltz Believes the MVP Standard Has Changed

Speaking on the Flippin’ Bats podcast with Ben Verlander, John Smoltz explained that today’s baseball environment differs dramatically from previous generations. Organizations now prioritize long-term player health over maximizing regular-season workloads, especially for young pitchers.

That shift, Smoltz argued, has unintentionally strengthened Ohtani’s MVP position. Elite pitchers rarely throw enough innings to produce overwhelming statistical advantages because teams carefully monitor pitch counts, innings limits, and recovery schedules. As a result, even extraordinary pitching seasons may no longer generate enough overall value to compete with a player contributing at an elite level on both offense and defense.

Smoltz emphasized that another player would need an exceptionally dominant season to seriously challenge Ohtani for the award. Whether people consider that fair or unfair, he believes it reflects the reality of baseball in its current era.

Shohei Ohtani’s 2026 Performance Still Commands MVP Attention

Although Ohtani’s pitching schedule has been interrupted, his production before the setback illustrated why he entered the season as the overwhelming MVP favorite.

Very few players in Major League Baseball can produce All-Star numbers in one discipline. Ohtani continues doing so as both a pitcher and hitter, making his overall contribution significantly greater than traditional MVP candidates.

How Modern Baseball Has Made Ohtani Even More Valuable

One of the biggest themes raised by Smoltz centers on how player development has evolved across Major League Baseball. Teams increasingly rely on advanced analytics, biomechanics, sports science, and injury prevention strategies to protect their most valuable arms.

That means fewer complete games, reduced inning totals, and carefully managed rotations. While these decisions help preserve careers and improve postseason chances, they also reduce opportunities for pitchers to accumulate the kind of season-long dominance that historically influenced MVP voting.

Ohtani represents a unique exception because his offensive production continues every day, even when his pitching workload is managed. Instead of losing value between starts, he remains one of the Dodgers’ most productive hitters while simultaneously preparing to contribute on the mound.

Jacob Misiorowski Highlights Baseball’s New Reality

Smoltz pointed to Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski as an example of baseball’s changing philosophy.

Misiorowski has delivered one of the National League’s most impressive ERAs, demonstrating the type of dominance that would normally generate serious MVP discussion. However, Milwaukee is expected to continue managing his workload carefully rather than pushing him toward maximum regular-season innings.

For playoff contenders, preserving elite pitchers for October has become more important than chasing individual awards. This strategic shift reduces opportunities for young stars to build statistical resumes comparable to legendary workhorse pitchers from previous decades.

As a result, Ohtani’s combination of elite offense and frontline pitching becomes increasingly difficult for anyone else to replicate.

A Historic MVP Resume That Continues to Grow

Ohtani’s award history already places him among baseball’s greatest modern players.

• American League MVP in 2021.
• American League MVP again in 2023.
• National League MVP after his historic 50-home run and 50-stolen base season in 2024.
• Another unanimous MVP following his return to two-way baseball with the Dodgers.

If he captures another National League MVP this season, Ohtani would earn his fourth consecutive MVP award and fifth overall, achievements reached by only the most iconic players in baseball history.

His consistency across multiple organizations and both leagues demonstrates that his success is driven by talent rather than circumstance.

Dodgers Taking a Patient Approach to Ohtani’s Injury

The Dodgers have made it clear that caution remains their top priority regarding Ohtani’s recovery.

Manager Dave Roberts revealed that Ohtani experienced some discomfort during a recent bullpen session, leading the club to delay additional mound work. Rather than rushing their superstar back into competitive pitching, Los Angeles wants complete confidence from both the medical staff and the player before progressing.

“We are not going to move forward until he feels 100 percent confident and we feel 100 percent confident.”

The cautious approach reflects a broader trend throughout Major League Baseball, where organizations increasingly prioritize postseason availability over short-term regular-season milestones.

Can Ohtani Still Win MVP Without Pitching Regularly?

One of the most interesting questions surrounding this year’s award race is whether Ohtani would remain the favorite if his pitching workload remains limited.

Recent history suggests the answer could still be yes.

His unanimous National League MVP season in 2024 proved that elite offensive production alone can be enough when combined with historic achievements. If Ohtani continues producing among the league leaders offensively while returning to the mound later in the season, his value may still exceed every other candidate.

That flexibility gives him a unique advantage unavailable to virtually every other player in baseball.

Why Two-Way Players Are Still Extremely Rare

Many organizations have attempted to develop players capable of contributing as both pitchers and hitters. However, reaching the highest level in even one discipline is extraordinarily difficult.

Excelling simultaneously as an elite hitter and frontline starting pitcher requires exceptional athletic ability, physical durability, mental preparation, and workload management. Ohtani remains the only active superstar consistently performing both roles at an MVP level.

This rarity explains why analysts increasingly evaluate him differently from every other player in Major League Baseball.

How MVP Voting Has Evolved

MVP voters have traditionally considered several factors, including individual statistics, team success, consistency, historical achievements, and overall impact on winning.

Ohtani’s versatility strengthens nearly every one of those categories.

• He contributes offensively almost every game.
• He provides frontline pitching value when healthy.
• He creates strategic flexibility for the Dodgers.
• He attracts global attention that benefits Major League Baseball.
• He consistently delivers production in high-pressure situations.

Although awards should primarily reflect on-field performance, Ohtani’s ability to influence games in multiple ways gives him an advantage unmatched by conventional stars.

What the Dodgers Need Most

While individual awards generate headlines, the Dodgers’ primary objective remains another World Series championship.

Protecting Ohtani’s long-term health is ultimately more valuable than accelerating his pitching return by a few weeks. A healthy two-way superstar during the postseason could dramatically improve Los Angeles’ championship chances.

That long-term perspective aligns perfectly with the modern philosophy Smoltz described. Teams increasingly value sustainable success over maximizing regular-season workloads, especially for franchise-defining players.

The Bigger Picture: Ohtani Is Redefining Baseball Greatness

Perhaps the most significant takeaway from Smoltz’s comments extends beyond this year’s MVP race.

Rather than comparing Ohtani with today’s stars, baseball may eventually compare future generations against the standard Ohtani established. His ability to combine elite pitching with middle-of-the-order offensive production has forced analysts, executives, and fans to rethink what an individual player can realistically contribute over a full season.

That influence could inspire future player development while simultaneously reshaping MVP expectations for years to come.

Conclusion

Shohei Ohtani’s temporary pitching setback has added intrigue to the National League MVP race, but it has not fundamentally changed the larger conversation. As John Smoltz explained, today’s era of workload management makes it increasingly difficult for traditional stars to accumulate enough value to surpass a healthy two-way superstar.

Even with his recovery progressing cautiously, Ohtani continues delivering elite offensive production while remaining one of baseball’s most impactful players. Unless another candidate produces an extraordinary historic campaign, the Dodgers sensation remains firmly positioned among the favorites for yet another Most Valuable Player award.

Whether he ultimately secures another MVP or not, Ohtani’s greatest achievement may already be complete: he has permanently changed the definition of value in Major League Baseball, creating a standard that future generations will spend decades trying to match.