The Case Against Allowing Shohei Ohtani to Be Drafted Twice in Fantasy Baseball
Shohei Ohtani’s unparalleled talent as both a dominant hitter and pitcher has made him one of the most electrifying players in Major League Baseball (MLB). However, allowing him to be drafted twice—once as a pitcher and once as a designated hitter (DH)—creates an imbalance that undermines the fairness and strategic integrity of fantasy baseball leagues. This article examines why Ohtani should occupy a single draft slot, incorporating statistical analysis and exploring the ramifications of such a rule change.
1. Ohtani Is One Player in Real Life—He Should Be One Player in Fantasy
In MLB, Ohtani occupies one roster spot, contributing both offensively and defensively. Fantasy baseball should mirror this reality. Splitting him into two draftable players is not reflective of MLB rules and gives one manager an unrealistic advantage.
No MLB team can separate Ohtani into two players to double his value, yet allowing him to be drafted twice in fantasy effectively creates this artificial split. This disparity grants the manager who drafts both versions of Ohtani a “superteam” scenario, distorting the competitive balance of the league.
2. Unprecedented Stat Dominance Skews Competitive Balance
If a team manages to draft Ohtani as both a pitcher and a DH, the competitive balance of the league would be severely impacted. Let’s examine the implications:
a) Statistical Superiority Across Categories
– A team with both “Ohtanis” would dominate multiple categories:
– As a DH (2023 stats): .304 AVG, 44 HRs, 95 RBIs, 1.066 OPS.
– As a Pitcher (2023 stats): 3.14 ERA, 167 strikeouts in 132 innings, 1.06 WHIP.
This level of production is comparable to owning both an elite hitter (e.g., Aaron Judge) and a top-tier pitcher (e.g., Gerrit Cole) simultaneously. Drafting Ohtani twice allows one team to monopolize the production of two first-round-caliber players, an advantage unavailable to any other team.
b) Unfair Flexibility in Lineup Management
– Owning both versions of Ohtani gives one team extraordinary lineup flexibility:
– The manager could deploy “Ohtani the DH” on non-pitching days and “Ohtani the Pitcher” on his pitching days, ensuring near-constant elite production.
– This level of lineup manipulation removes the strategic challenge of balancing dual-role players, as no other team could replicate such consistent, top-tier contributions.
c) Draft Pool Disruption
Drafting Ohtani twice removes two high-value players from the draft pool, weakening the quality of players available to other teams. For example, if Ohtani (Pitcher) and Ohtani (DH) are drafted first and second overall, elite players like Mookie Betts or Spencer Strider are pushed further down, disrupting the expected draft order.
3. Statistical Comparisons: Ohtani’s Numbers Are Elite but Comparable
Hitting Stats
Ohtani’s offensive stats are outstanding but remain comparable to other top-tier hitters:
Shohei Ohtani (2023):
– Slash Line: .304/.412/.654
– Home Runs: 44
– RBIs: 95
– OPS: 1.066
Aaron Judge (2022):
Slash Line: .311/.425/.686
– Home Runs: 62
– RBIs: 131
– OPS: 1.111
Matt Olson (2023):
– Slash Line: .283/.387/.604
– Home Runs: 54
– RBIs: 139
– OPS: .991
Pitching Stats
Ohtani’s pitching performance is similarly elite but aligns with other top aces:
Shohei Ohtani (2023):
– ERA: 3.14
– WHIP: 1.06
– Strikeouts: 167 in 132 IP (11.39 K/9)
– Wins: 10
Gerrit Cole (2023):
– ERA: 2.63
– WHIP: 0.98
– Strikeouts: 222 in 209 IP (9.56 K/9)
– Wins: 15
Spencer Strider (2023):
– ERA: 3.86
– WHIP: 1.09
– Strikeouts: 281 in 186.2 IP (13.55 K/9)
– Wins: 20
Ohtani’s combined hitting and pitching stats are undeniably rare, but other players also provide comparable production within their respective categories, and they only require one draft slot.
4. Risk of Injury: Tommy John Surgery Concerns
Ohtani’s recent Tommy John surgery highlights the risks of splitting him into two draftable players:
Unbalanced Injury Impact: In 2023, after Ohtani tore his UCL and stopped pitching, he continued hitting at an elite level. A team drafting both “Ohtani the Pitcher” and “Ohtani the DH” would retain significant production even if his pitching career were compromised, creating an unfair safety net.
Tommy John Surgery Statistics: Studies show that 85-90% of pitchers return to MLB after the procedure, but only about 75% regain their previous performance levels. Recovery times range from 12-18 months, meaning Ohtani could miss significant time as a pitcher in upcoming seasons.
5. Fantasy Baseball Should Reward Strategy, Not Superteams
The essence of fantasy baseball lies in strategic decision-making, managing trade-offs, and building balanced teams. Allowing one team to draft both “Ohtanis” eliminates these challenges, rewarding luck or draft position over skillful management.
Without Split Roles: Managers must decide whether to draft Ohtani as a dual-role player, balancing his versatility against other roster needs.
With Split Roles: The team owning both “Ohtanis” effectively forms a superteam, undermining the strategic complexity of fantasy baseball and diminishing enjoyment for other participants.
Conclusion: One Player, One Draft Slot
Shohei Ohtani’s unique skill set is extraordinary, but allowing him to be drafted twice inflates his value disproportionately, disrupts competitive balance, and introduces inequities that undermine the spirit of fantasy baseball. His stats—while elite—are comparable to other top players, all of whom occupy a single draft slot.
By treating Ohtani as one player, fantasy leagues maintain fairness and preserve the strategic challenge of managing a dual-role talent. This approach aligns with MLB rules and ensures the game remains competitive and enjoyable for all managers.
