While Court Case Draws Attention, Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Is Crushing Baseballs

This week, a new list of fun details came out about the ongoing fraud case between Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.

Shortly before Mizuhara agreed to a plea deal for felony bank fraud charges Wednesday, it emerged that Ohtani’s friend and employee also stole his money for dental work and wired his gambling debt payments through a cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County. On Thursday, Lionsgate T.V. announced that it was producing a show about the scandal. Nearly two months after the news broke, baseball’s most significant story remains.

Oh, how is Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers going? Through his first 38 games, he’s batting .355 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs. Why do you ask?

While Ohtani’s compelling court case may be taking up much space on people’s social media feeds, the player seems utterly unfazed by the increased attention. In his first season playing for a World Series contender while being victimized in court, Ohtani is on pace to have the best hitting season of his career. He currently leads the star-studded Dodgers in home runs, runs, hits, extra-base hits, batting average and slugging percentage. The team is 26-13 and towers above the N.L. West division.

Because of a lingering arm injury, Ohtani will not be available to pitch for the Dodgers until 2025. His elite two-way appeal has made him a perennial MVP candidate, but few people expected his performance at the plate alone to be so strong this season that it could keep him in contention for the honor. As it stands, however, the Japanese power hitter is basically on even terms with his teammate, Mookie Betts, and Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr.

For now, it stands to reason that Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers will be remembered for fraud and speculation. Through his play, however, the star is demonstrating that he may have the power at the plate to change that narrative as summer approaches.