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On May 9, 2025, MLB analyst Rob Parker made waves with his bold take on Los Angeles Dodgers' designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, claiming that the two-time MVP has reached a “plateau” in the 2025 season. Parker's statement questioned Ohtani's ability to replicate his 2024 MVP-caliber performance, pointing to his 15 RBIs at the time as underwhelming.
In Parker’s words, "He's supposed to be on a plateau with Aaron Judge [with] these two MVP-type seasons. I can sit here honestly and say I expect even more from Aaron Judge as he continues. Ohtani is just not gonna match last year's season, and I can't see him, as we go forward, have a better year than that."
Ohtani’s Impressive Stats in 2025
Ohtani's season in 2025 is setting itself out to be another great. The Japanese superstar had a monster season in 2024, leading MLB in multiple categories and showing signs of slowing down. Up to the 38th game, Ohtani was batting .305, getting on base at a .410 clip, and slugging at a good rate of .649. His OPS+ is 198, which is both the highest in his career and ranks second in the entire National League, trailing none other than Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, whose OPS+ conversion stands at 205.
In addition to running 43 times for the MLB lead, Ohtani has four triples and 12 homers. As early in the 2025 season as it is, the player has accumulated 98 total bases, the most in the National League, solidifying his early dominance at the plate.
Parker's Criticism of Ohtani with Runners in Scoring Position
One of the major issues raised by Parker was Ohtani's performance with runners on base, despite the player having an .835 OPS in those situations. Parker claimed that Ohtani was not coming through in clutch situations, yet Ohtani is showing that to be contrary.
Ohtani Responds to the Criticism
Since Parker’s criticism, Ohtani has put up even more impressive numbers. In the following games, he blasted two home runs and drove in six runs, including a crucial three-run shot in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which helped the Dodgers secure a 14-11 victory.
This performance continued Ohtani's eight-game hitting streak, which includes three multi-hit games, further cementing his status as one of the game’s elite players.
While Parker’s take has sparked controversy, it’s clear that Ohtani is still delivering a world-class performance in 2025, defying claims that he has plateaued. With his consistent hitting and ability to perform in high-pressure situations, Ohtani is showing that his best years may still lie ahead.
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