Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani names his 2025 MLB season batters and pitchers; Freeman left out

One team that has caught the attention of other franchises is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The reigning champions have made an impressive start to the 2025 MLB season, opening with a perfect 6-0 record, including victories over the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, and Detroit Tigers. With 9 runs on the season so far, Shohei Ohtani has emerged as one of the team’s key contributors.

Fans are understandably hopeful for another postseason run, with many expecting the Dodgers to make a return to the World Series. After defeating the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series, Los Angeles is determined to prove that last year’s title wasn’t a fluke. Early results suggest they’re on the right path.

Before the season kicked off, Ohtani was interviewed in Japan, where he shared his picks for batters and hitters poised to make an impact throughout the year. One of the surprises was that he included a Dodgers teammate on his list, though it wasn’t star Freddie Freeman.

Additionally, Ohtani named several players from other teams, including AL opponents and rising stars in the MLB, who he believes could make a significant difference in a potential matchup.

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates hitting a double in the top of the ninth inning during the MLB Tokyo Series game against Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome on March 18, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.

Ohtani’s selections from the 2025 MLB season

Los Angeles Dodgers standout was recently asked to pick three batters and three pitchers for a hypothetical team. His selections were influenced by the players’ current performances and their growing experience in Major League Baseball.

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• Ohtani’s three batter picks:
  • Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
  • Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers)
  • Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians)
• Ohtani’s three pitcher picks:
  • Zac Gallen (Arizona Diamondbacks)
  • Ryan Helsley (St. Louis Cardinals)
  • Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers)

A closer look at Ohtani’s selections

To understand why Ohtani made these picks for a hypothetical matchup, let’s break down the key statistics for each player’s MLB career so far. With different stats, these players are the kind of style that Ohtani like for his team to be.

• Zac Gallen
  • Win-Loss Record: 53-38
  • ERA: 3.32
  • Strikeouts: 889
• Ryan Helsley
  • Win-Loss Record: 28-14
  • ERA: 2.61
  • Strikeouts: 319
• Tarik Skubal
  • Win-Loss Record: 41-32
  • ERA: 3.40
  • Strikeouts: 650
• Adley Rutschman
  • WAR: 13.1
  • Runs: 228
  • Hits: 413
  • Home Runs: 54
• Mookie Betts
  • WAR: 70.3
  • Runs: 1,076
  • Hits: 1,620
  • Home Runs: 273
• Steven Kwan
  • WAR: 12.8
  • Runs: 269
  • Hits: 485
  • Home Runs: 26