Shohei Ohtani's tenure with the Los Angeles Angels spanned six seasons from 2018 to 2023, transforming modern baseball by proving a player could dominate as both an elite starting pitcher and a middle-of-the-order slugger. Signed out of Japan in December 2017, Ohtani arrived in Anaheim with immense hype and immediately delivered, capturing the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2018. Over the next several years, despite injuries, a global pandemic, and a struggling supporting cast, he put together individual campaigns that rank among the greatest in Major League Baseball history.
This timeline chronicles the milestones, statistical achievements, and defining moments of Ohtani's ground-breaking era with the Angels, leading up to his departure in free agency. While team success eluded the franchise during his stay, his individual brilliance redefined what fans thought possible on a baseball diamond.
2018: The Arrival and Rookie Sensation
Shohei Ohtani shocked the baseball world in December 2017 by choosing the Los Angeles Angels over a host of big-market suitors. Questions surrounded whether a Japanese star could successfully transition to hitting and pitching daily in the majors.
He answered those doubts immediately in spring training and the regular season.
- April 2018: Ohtani hit a home run in his first three home games, electrifying Anaheim fans. Later that month, he picked up his first MLB win on the mound, striking out 12 Oakland Athletics batters over seven dominant innings.
- May to June 2018: Opposing pitchers adjusted, and a minor sophomore-level slump combined with a UCL sprain halted his pitching momentum. The Angels placed him on the injured list with a grade 2 strain of his ulnar collateral ligament.
- September 2018: After returning solely as a designated hitter, Ohtani finished the season strong. He hit 22 home runs and posted a 4-2 record with a 3.31 ERA in 10 pitching starts, easily claiming the American League Rookie of the Year award despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in October.
2019 to 2020: Recovery and Adaptation
Ohtani spent the entirety of the 2019 season recovering from elbow surgery, limiting his role exclusively to the batter's box.
- May 2019: He returned to the Angels' lineup as a designated hitter, showcasing his power recovery by hitting 18 home runs and driving in 62 runs across 106 games.
- July 2019: Ohtani became the first Japanese-born player in MLB history to hit a cycle, accomplishing the feat against the Tampa Bay Rays.
- 2020 Shortened Season: The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the schedule to 60 games. Ohtani struggled mightily upon attempting his return to the mound, posting a 6.57 ERA in two starts while batting just .190. Doubters questioned if the two-way experiment was already over.
2021: The Unanimous MVP Breakthrough
The 2021 campaign stands as one of the single greatest individual seasons in baseball history, silencing every critic and captivating global sports fans.
- July 2021: Ohtani made history at the MLB All-Star Game in Colorado by being selected and starting as both the American League's designated hitter and starting pitcher—a feat never accomplished before. He also participated in the Home Run Derby.
- September 2021: He reached the 45-home run mark while maintaining a sub-3.00 ERA on the mound.
- November 2021: Ohtani was unanimously voted the American League Most Valuable Player, finishing the year with 46 home runs, 100 RBIs, 26 stolen bases, and a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts over 23 pitching starts.
2022: Doubling Down on Historic Metrics
Rather than experiencing a sophomore slump after his historic MVP run, Ohtani delivered an even more refined statistical profile across both facets of the game in 2022.
- June 2022: He put together a legendary stretch against the Oakland Athletics, striking out 13 batters while driving in eight runs at the plate over a span of two games.
- August 2022: Ohtani officially qualified for the leaderboard in both hitting and pitching simultaneously—becoming the first player in MLB history to qualify for the batting title and pitching innings requirement in the same season.
- October 2022: He finished the season with 34 home runs and 95 RBIs as a hitter, alongside a 15-9 record, a 2.33 ERA, and 219 strikeouts as a pitcher. He finished second in American League MVP voting behind Aaron Judge.
2023: Historic Peak and Bitter End in Anaheim
Ohtani's final year in an Angels uniform showcased unmatched offensive dominance, though it was cut short by physical wear and tear.
- March 2023: Ohtani captained Team Japan to victory in the World Baseball Classic, striking out his then-Angels teammate Mike Trout in the ninth inning of the championship game to secure the title.
- June 2023: He launched 15 home runs in a single month, setting an Angels franchise record for the most home runs in any calendar month.
- August 2023: After months of carrying a struggling Angels roster, Ohtani suffered a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, ending his pitching season. Shortly after, an oblique injury ended his batting season in mid-September.
- November 2023: Despite missing the final weeks of the season, Ohtani led the American League with 44 home runs and won his second unanimous AL MVP award.
- December 2023: Following the expiration of his contract, Ohtani signed a record-shattering 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, bringing his iconic six-year tenure in Anaheim to a close.
Common Misconceptions About the Angels Era
Many casual fans misinterpret how Ohtani's time in Anaheim unfolded. Here are a few clarifications regarding his tenure:
- Did the Angels make the playoffs with Ohtani? No. Despite having both Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout on the roster, the Angels never secured a winning record or a postseason berth during his six years.
- Did Ohtani pitch in 2024 right after leaving? No. Because he underwent a second major right-elbow procedure in late 2023, he served strictly as a designated hitter during his debut season with the Dodgers.
- Why did he leave the Angels? Ohtani repeatedly expressed a desire to play meaningful games late into September and October, a goal the Angels organization failed to support due to recurring roster depth issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Shohei Ohtani's total home runs with the Angels?
During his six seasons in Anaheim, Ohtani hit 171 regular-season home runs, establishing himself as one of the most prolific power hitters in franchise history.
Did Shohei Ohtani win any MVPs with the Angels?
Yes. He won two American League MVP awards while playing for Anaheim—the first in 2021 (unanimous) and his second in 2023 (unanimous).
What was his pitching record in Anaheim?
Ohtani compiled a 38-19 record with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts over 481.2 innings pitched across his six seasons with the Angels.
Why did he wear number 17 with the Angels?
He wore number 17 throughout his time in Anaheim because it was the number he wore during his professional career in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
