The new edition of the World Baseball Classic is underway, and once again Shohei Ohtani is right in the middle of it.
Japan entered the tournament trying to defend the title they won in 2023, and their lineup still runs through Ohtani. The difference this time is his role. Because of recent elbow surgery and workload management with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani is serving strictly as a hitter in this tournament rather than the full two way act that defined the last Classic. (MLB.com)
Even without the pitching, he immediately reminded everyone why he is still the center of the baseball world.
In Japan’s opening game against Chinese Taipei, Ohtani put together the kind of inning that changes a tournament narrative. He went 3 for 4 and launched a grand slam during a ten run second inning as Japan rolled to a 13 to 0 win. The swing cleared the bases and effectively ended the game before it really started. He finished the night with five RBIs and looked completely locked in at the plate. (The Times of India)
That is the thing about Ohtani in events like this. Even when you remove half of what makes him unique, he still becomes the most dangerous hitter in the tournament.
Japan’s lineup is deep and the pitching staff remains strong, but the entire structure still revolves around Ohtani setting the tone. When he’s hitting balls into the seats early in games, the pressure shifts immediately onto the opposing team.
The Classic always needs a central figure. In 2023 it was Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to win the title. In 2026 the story may look different, but the spotlight has not moved. Japan is chasing another championship, and the best player in the sport is again hitting in the middle of it.
