Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound — and he’s throwing fire.
In just his third pitching appearance of the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani launched the fastest pitch of his professional career on Saturday night, clocking in at a jaw-dropping 101.7 miles per hour.
The moment came in the bottom of the first inning against the Kansas City Royals, when Ohtani induced a sharp ground ball off the bat of Vinnie Pasquantino, which turned into a slick double play to end the frame. But it was the sheer velocity of the pitch — officially the fastest recorded of his MLB career — that sent shockwaves through the stadium and across the league.
Final velocity: 101.7 mph
Previous record: 101.4 mph (thrown during his time with the Angels)
Stat line: 2 innings pitched, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 27 pitches (20 strikes)
“I just saw 100 on the board and thought, ‘Wow,’” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “I didn’t expect 102. Now I’m just hoping he feels good tomorrow. That’s the big win.”
Ohtani, still on a carefully managed pitching schedule after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023, was not expected to ramp up this quickly. But Saturday’s appearance — his first two-inning outing of 2025 — was a major leap forward in both velocity and confidence.
“It’s something I don’t think I would’ve been able to do in a live BP setting,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “It’s nice to hit this velo and see how my body reacts.”
He added that the pitch “felt natural,” not forced — a strong sign for both fans and the Dodgers front office, who invested over $700 million in the two-way superstar this offseason.
While the Dodgers ultimately lost the game 9–5, Ohtani’s performance may prove more valuable than the scoreboard:
Command: 20 strikes in 27 pitches
Confidence: Aggressive mix of fastballs and sliders
Composure: Looked comfortable and efficient on the mound
It wasn’t just velocity — it was vintage Ohtani.
With the Dodgers neck-and-neck in the NL West and the All-Star break approaching, Ohtani’s successful return to pitching form could be a turning point in the team’s 2025 campaign. His ability to contribute on both sides of the ball is unmatched — and if his arm is truly back, MLB is on notice.