Shohei Ohtani’s mind, skill, and body at peak — 2026 poised to be a truly unstoppable year with record after record

An amazing home run!

The two home runs were enough to show why he is considered the world’s best player.

Shohei Ohtani (31), entrusted as the prestigious leadoff hitter for Samurai Japan aiming to defend their WBC title, hit a grand slam in his second at-bat against Taiwan on March 6, then carried a game-tying solo home run to the right-field stands in the following game against South Korea, contributing to Japan’s come-from-behind victory.

Baseball analyst Takahiko Kobayakawa praised, “These two home runs are the result of Ohtani’s exceptional skill and overwhelming power.”

“In Ohtani’s second at-bat against Taiwan, he was likely focusing on the fastball, but the opposing right-hander threw a curveball that disrupted his timing. A typical hitter would have been off balance and lifted a weak fly ball, but he used lower-body resilience and a strong core to maintain his stance, skillfully connecting with the ball and sending it to the stands.

The launch angle of the home run against South Korea was about 40 degrees. It is considered too high, and normally would have been an ordinary fly ball. It should not have reached the stands. However, Ohtani made it possible with swing speed generated by his astonishing power.”

What Ohtani showed the world was not only his extraordinary technique and incredible physique at the plate. International media were also impressed by his behavior while rounding the bases after the home run against South Korea.

“Ohtani did not explode with joy; he gestured to the rowdy bench to calm down. After touching home plate and returning to the bench, he high-fived his teammates for the first time, saying, ‘Yes, tied!’ He restored the atmosphere of the team, which had begun to panic after falling behind early, and then raised morale with strong words,” reported a journalist covering the scene.

Kobayakawa also praised Ohtani’s leadership at this moment.

“If it were me, I might say something like, ‘Let’s turn this around!’ or ‘Let’s ride the momentum!’ But if you say that immediately after tying the game, players tend to tense up. Ohtani chose to cool down the overheated engine rather than adding more heat. Because he has gone through various high-pressure situations in the majors, he could naturally say the right words at the right time.”

Ohtani led Samurai Japan not only with skill and body but also with heart, and this year he seems poised to reach an unrivaled state.

“His pitching adjustment also seems on track. If he maintains the good condition he showed in the WBC, hitting 60 home runs and recording 10 wins wouldn’t be impossible. Not long ago, such results would have been laughed at as impossible, but with Ohtani now, we can expect such an achievement,” Kobayakawa said.

A man who has easily overcome high hurdles, Ohtani is sure to astonish us again this season.

From the March 27/April 3, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”