RHP-LHB Los Angeles Angels
Arguably the best player in the world, Ohtani is expected to pitch and DH for Japan, managed by his first pro skipper, Hideki Kuriyama. He is eager to make up for missed time after an ankle injury in the 2016 Japan Series kept him out of the 2017 WBC. Japan describes two-way players such as Ohtani with the word "nitoryu," meaning to fight with a sword in each hand. In 2016, Japan's media created the first "Ohtani rule," allowing multiple Best Nine Award votes for the same player at pitcher and one other position. In addition to MVP, he was voted the PL's best pitcher and DH.