Shohei Ohtani Crushes 30th Home Run: Dodgers Star Chasing 50+ HR Season Again

By Oliver Wiener July 04, 2025 07:42

Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way phenom, reached a significant milestone on July 1, 2025, smashing his 30th home run of the season in a commanding 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium. This homer not only marked Ohtani as the first player in the National League to reach 30 homers this year but also underscored his pursuit of another 50-plus home run campaign, a feat that has become synonymous with his rare blend of power and pitching prowess.

The home run came in the bottom of the fourth inning against White Sox starter Shane Smith, a 90.3 mph slider on the inner edge of the plate, which Ohtani launched with an exit velocity of 116.3 mph and a 42-degree launch angle, sending the ball an estimated 407 feet into the right-center field pavilion seats. This blast was notable not only for its distance but also for its quality: Statcast data reveals it was the hardest-hit home run with a launch angle of at least 36 degrees since the tracking system began in 2015. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani’s performance, stating, “I just think it was good that coming off an off-day, we fed off the momentum from Yoshinobu and got hits when we needed to. … And obviously, Shohei did what Shohei does”.

Ohtani’s 30 home runs through 86 team games set a new Dodgers franchise record, surpassing legends Gil Hodges and Duke Snider, who each had 28 home runs at similar points in their seasons back in the 1950s. Nationally, Ohtani is tied with New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for the second-most home runs in Major League Baseball this season, trailing only Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who has 33 homers. Remarkably, this marks Ohtani’s fifth consecutive season with 30 or more home runs, and the third time he has reached this milestone before the All-Star break (also in 2021 and 2023), placing him among an elite group of active players with such consistent power production.

What makes Ohtani’s achievement even more extraordinary is his unique role as a two-way player. Alongside his slugging exploits, Ohtani continues to pitch at an elite level, with his next start on the mound scheduled against the Houston Astros. Through the season’s first half, he has struck out three batters and allowed just one run over four innings pitched, demonstrating his rare ability to impact games on both sides of the ball. Manager Roberts highlighted the challenge, saying, “Just the day-to-day and what it entails for him to get ready to play a game… the expectations that he has on himself and still pitching and staying ready, that kind of stuff to wrap your head around, to be completely honest”.

Statistically, Ohtani boasts a .287 batting average, 30 runs scored, 55 RBIs, and leads the National League with an OPS of 1.024, underscoring his all-around offensive dominance. His power surge has been a key driver in the Dodgers’ strong season, helping them maintain momentum as they chase postseason success.

As Ohtani inches closer to another 50-home run season, the baseball world watches with anticipation. His blend of power, speed, and pitching excellence continues to redefine what is possible in the modern game. With his 30th home run now in the books, Shohei Ohtani is not just chasing milestones he’s chasing history.