3,341,257 Votes Tell You Everything About Ohtani's Monster Season

Alright, hold up, Emerald City! You gotta hear this because the baseball world is buzzing, and honestly, the numbers don't lie. Shohei Ohtani, the dude who keeps rewriting the rulebook, just got penciled in as the National League's starting designated hitter for the 2026 All-Star Game! And get this, it's not just a nod, he absolutely crushed the voting, racking up a mind-blowing 3,341,257 votes in Phase 1, leading the *entire freaking Majors*! MLB Network dropped the news Thursday, and it's a huge deal. This isn't just another All-Star nod; it's his sixth straight and the first time he's been the top overall vote-getter across both leagues. Since 2022, that top spot means an automatic start, and Ohtani earned every single one of those votes.

The Two-Way Force That Can't Be Stopped

Let's be real, we've seen Ohtani do incredible things, but this season? He's on another level. Remember those whispers about a slow start at the plate? Yeah, consider those GONE. He's now second among all qualified NL hitters with a scorching .963 OPS, dropping a .295/.414/.549 slash line. It might've taken him a bit to find his power stroke, but guess what? He's leading the Dodgers with 17 homers. Seventeen! But here's the kicker: as unreal as he is with the bat, his pitching has arguably been *even more impactful*. We're talking a ridiculous 1.58 ERA, which is the second-lowest among all Major Leaguers who've tossed at least 50 innings this season. Only Jacob Misiorowski from the Brewers has him beat with a 1.45 ERA. That's just wild. The dude is a

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

human cheat code, folks.

Philly Bound, Dodger Crew in Tow

So, Ohtani is heading to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 14 for the All-Star Game, and he won't be flying solo. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is back at the helm for the NL squad for the second year running, and a whole bunch of his guys are moving on to Phase 2 of voting. We're talking about catcher Will Smith, first baseman Freddie Freeman, third baseman Max Muncy, shortstop Mookie Betts, and outfielders Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernández. That's a stacked lineup right there! Phase 2 voting kicks off Monday at 9 a.m. PT and runs through next Thursday at 9 a.m. PT, with all the position winners, pitchers, and reserves getting announced on July 4 on FOX. Now, his DH start doesn't automatically mean he's pitching, but knowing Ohtani, you just know the Player Ballot or Commissioner's Office could give him that two-way nod again, just like he had for three straight years from 2021-23 with the Angels. You don't ignore that kind of talent. This is what baseball's all about, the incredible individual performances that make you stop and stare. While Ohtani is out there lighting up the NL, our Mariners just wrapped up a tough one, falling 5-1 to the Pirates. It reminds you that every game matters, every at-bat, every pitch. You know we're always rooting for our guys like Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh to bring that same fire. Keep your eyes peeled for those July 4 announcements and let's see which other stars, maybe even some from our side of the country, make it to Philly. It's a long season, folks, and every day brings new stories to tell.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.