Shohei Ohtani may still be slugging at MVP levels, but that didn’t stop MLB insider Rob Parker from stirring controversy during a fiery segment on MLB Now. Going head-to-head with host Brian Kenny, Parker claimed Ohtani has “plateaued” in 2024, pointing specifically to his 15 RBIs to question the two-way star’s overall impact.
“I don’t know about you, but that sounds like Dave Kingman would have a better batting average. I’ve seen this guy strike out plenty with runners on base. That’s not the Ohtani I saw a year ago”, Parker said.
But Kenny wasn’t having it. Calmly laying out year-over-year stats, he pointed out that Ohtani’s batting average, on-base percentage, and OPS+ remain almost identical to his previous MVP seasons.
Has Shohei Ohtani "plateaued?"@robparkerMLBbro and BK go head-to-head on the #MLBNowShowdown. pic.twitter.com/AbfpZMZnMX
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) May 8, 2025
“He’s essentially the same guy,” Kenny fired back. “He’s slugging .600, leading the league in runs and triples — and he’s going to pitch later this year. What are you missing?”
Parker Compares Shohei Ohtani To Aaron Judge, Says Only One Is Still Getting Better
Parker stuck to his guns, insisting that while Ohtani is still great, he’s no longer ascending, unlike Aaron Judge.
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“I expect even more from Judge,” Parker argued. “He’s still trending up. I don’t see Ohtani topping last year.”
Kenny clapped back, saying that RBIs are team-dependent, and emphasized that Ohtani has still been producing at an elite level despite fluctuations in lineup protection and batting order.
“If he’s plateauing at a peak, that’s still a peak,” Kenny said. “He’s getting on base 40% of the time and slugging over .600. That’s dominance.”
For all the chatter around a supposed decline, Shohei Ohtani, who welcomed a baby girl last month, continues to defy the narrative. In 2024, he delivered a monster season: a .310 batting average, 197 hits, 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases.
Now, in 2025, his on-pace projections still put him firmly among the league’s elite: a .299 average, 180 hits, 44 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 44 steals.
What remains consistent is Ohtani’s ability to impact the game across all areas. If this is what “plateauing” looks like, most players would kill for a season anywhere close.
Also Read: MLB Analyst Throws Shade On Shohei Ohtani’s 2025 MVP Chances
