Shohei Ohtani just threw the hardest pitch of his Major League Baseball career—and it still wasn’t enough to stop the Dodgers from dropping a 9–5 decision to the Kansas City Royals.
On Saturday at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani lit up the radar gun with a 101.7 mph fastball—his fastest recorded pitch in MLB. It came in the second inning on an 0-2 count to Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who grounded into a slick inning-ending double play. That heater eclipsed Ohtani’s previous career-high of 101.4 mph, set back in September 2022. This marked just the 11th time he’s touched triple digits north of 101.
A New Level of Velocity—But Not a Vintage Outcome
It was a jaw-dropping moment and a reminder that even after elbow surgery, Ohtani’s arm still has gas to burn. But the Royals weren’t rattled. Pasquantino would go on to enjoy a monster day, driving in five runs—including a three-run homer in the fifth inning that helped blow the game open with a 5–0 Kansas City lead.
Ohtani was used as an opener for the third time since returning to the mound. He tossed two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk and striking out one of the seven batters he faced. His pitching usage continues to be carefully managed, with just four innings thrown across three appearances. But what the sample lacks in size, it makes up for in promise—especially with that triple-digit velocity returning.
Still Slugging, Even on Off Days
Offensively, it wasn’t Ohtani’s night. Serving as the Dodgers’ designated hitter and batting leadoff, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Still, the broader picture remains staggering: he’s slashing .291/.392/.641 with 29 home runs, 11 stolen bases, and a 186 OPS+. He’s already racked up 4.1 WAR, according to Baseball Reference, and sits among the league’s top offensive performers.
Dodgers Still in Command, Royals Still Holding On
With the loss, the Dodgers fell to 52–32, still holding a six-game cushion in the National League West. Ohtani’s growing presence on the mound adds an intriguing dimension to a team already stacked with postseason potential. His continued two-way contributions will be closely watched as the summer rolls on—and the Dodgers weigh how best to deploy him down the stretch.
The Royals, meanwhile, moved to 39–44 and remain 3.5 games back of the final American League wild-card spot. Saturday’s win was a shot in the arm for a team trying to recapture early-season magic. It came with a headline moment at the expense of baseball’s most unique superstar.
