Padres Star Fernando Tatis Jr. Admits Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is the Best Player in MLB, Praises His Unmatched Dominance
In a moment of humility and candor that sent shockwaves across the baseball world, San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. openly conceded that Los Angeles Dodgers two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani is the best player in Major League Baseball.
The statement, delivered during a postgame interview after the Padres dropped a tightly contested 4–3 game to the Dodgers at Petco Park, echoed across dugouts, clubhouses, and front offices. It wasn’t just an acknowledgment of greatness—it was a rare, public gesture of admiration from one generational talent to another, bridging one of baseball’s most intense rivalries with a moment of raw respect.
“Look, you have to be honest,” Tatis said when asked about Ohtani’s influence. “What that guy is doing right now, nobody else in the game can even touch it. He’s not just playing two positions—he’s dominating both. That’s greatness. You’ve got to give credit where it’s due. Shohei is the best player in the world right now. Period.”
Tatis’ words come as Ohtani continues to dazzle in a Dodgers uniform, showing no signs of slowing down after his record-shattering contract this past offseason. Despite undergoing elbow surgery that has limited his pitching in 2025, Ohtani remains a menace at the plate. The Japanese superstar leads the league in OPS, home runs, and total bases, while continuing to serve as a clubhouse cornerstone for a Dodgers team primed for another deep postseason run.
That kind of impact is impossible to ignore—even for Tatis, himself a beacon of talent and charisma in the league.
A Rival’s Reverence
Fernando Tatis Jr. is no stranger to the spotlight. The 25-year-old slugger has already made multiple All-Star appearances, won a Silver Slugger, and become one of the faces of the league since breaking onto the scene in 2019. His electric combination of power, speed, and flair has often drawn comparisons to legends of the game. But even he knows that what Ohtani is doing transcends traditional measurement.
“We’re all chasing greatness in our own way,” Tatis said. “But what Shohei’s doing? That’s on a different level. When you’re the guy everyone’s watching every single day and still living up to it—that’s something else.”
The Dodgers-Padres rivalry has grown into one of the most compelling narratives in MLB in recent years, with Southern California becoming the epicenter of baseball star power. When Ohtani left the Angels to sign a historic 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers, it not only shifted the balance of power in the National League but also raised the stakes for the Padres—both competitively and psychologically.
Tatis’ admission, then, feels even more significant given the contentious nature of the rivalry. His comments strip away ego, stripping the game down to what it really is at its core: respect for excellence.
Shohei’s Response
Ohtani, always reserved in his media appearances, responded to Tatis’ comments with his signature humility.
“I really appreciate Fernando’s words,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “He’s an incredible player and someone I admire as well. We’re all trying to do our best to help our teams win. I’m just happy to be healthy and playing at a high level.”
The moment of mutual respect between two of baseball’s brightest stars did more than spark headlines—it elevated the spirit of the game itself. Fans across the league were quick to comment on social media, praising both players for their authenticity and sportsmanship.
“Baseball needs more of this,” one fan tweeted. “Tatis keeping it real. Ohtani staying humble. This is how legends treat each other.”
Statistical Supremacy
As of mid-July, Ohtani is putting up offensive numbers that would be MVP-worthy even without his pitching. He currently leads the majors with 34 home runs, boasts a .341 batting average, and has driven in 87 RBIs. His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) tops the league, and he’s walking at a career-high rate while striking out less than ever before.
Pitching-wise, while he hasn’t returned to the mound yet this season due to his recovery from elbow surgery, Ohtani has made it clear that he intends to resume pitching in 2026. If that happens, the league may once again see the unprecedented version of Ohtani who led the majors in strikeouts per nine innings in 2022 and flirted with MVP and Cy Young honors in the same year.
Tatis, meanwhile, has had an impressive season in his own right. After dealing with injuries and suspension setbacks in previous years, he’s returned to form in 2025, batting .284 with 22 home runs and 65 RBIs. He’s also stolen 18 bases and played elite defense in right field, reaffirming his place among the top-tier players in the game.
Still, the gap in impact—at least this season—is apparent even to Tatis, and his willingness to admit that only strengthens his voice as a leader.
Respect in the Age of Stardom
This exchange between Tatis and Ohtani may mark a watershed moment in MLB’s new era. For a long time, baseball operated under the old-school mentality of rivalry-first, respect-later. But a younger generation of stars—many of whom have grown up playing internationally, embracing social media, and understanding the business of branding—are changing that narrative.
Now, it’s not unusual to see stars across teams openly praise each other’s talents. What makes this particular moment stand out, however, is the magnitude of the compliment and the status of the players involved.
Shohei Ohtani isn’t just another MVP candidate. He is a once-in-a-century type of player who’s redefining what’s possible in the sport. And Fernando Tatis Jr., a generational star himself, choosing to recognize that on such a public stage signals a shift in how the game’s top players interact.
Impact Beyond the Game
Beyond the field, Tatis’ words also carry weight in terms of global baseball diplomacy. Ohtani’s impact in growing the sport internationally—especially in Japan, Korea, and across Latin America—can’t be overstated. The two players represent distinct baseball cultures, and yet their mutual respect creates a bridge between them.
Tatis, whose father played in the big leagues and who grew up immersed in Dominican baseball tradition, understands the significance of global representation. Ohtani, who entered the league under immense expectations from Japan, has surpassed even the most ambitious projections.
“Shohei’s the kind of player who’s changing how kids view baseball,” Tatis added. “You don’t just dream of being a shortstop or a pitcher anymore. Now, thanks to him, you can dream of being both.”
What This Means for the Padres
While the Padres continue to jockey for postseason position in a crowded NL Wild Card race, Tatis’ comments might also serve as a call to action for his own organization. The Dodgers continue to set the standard, and having Ohtani on their roster only widens the talent chasm.
Tatis’ acknowledgment of Ohtani’s dominance could be seen as a challenge—both to himself and to his front office—to push harder, evolve faster, and match the level of their in-state rivals. For a team that has spent big in recent years and yet come up short in October, the message is clear: greatness is the target, and the bar is Ohtani.
Baseball’s Brightest Light
In a season filled with twists, injuries, and headlines, Shohei Ohtani remains the game’s biggest constant. Whether crushing fastballs into the second deck or flashing that easygoing smile in the dugout, he is the embodiment of everything baseball hopes to be—competitive, international, charismatic, and historic.
That Fernando Tatis Jr.—a player known as much for his swagger as for his skill—has no problem proclaiming Ohtani the best says everything you need to know about where the league stands in 2025.
Tatis summed it up best: “There’s no shame in saying he’s the best. In fact, I think we’re all lucky to witness it.”
And with that, the game moves forward, carried on the backs of its brightest stars—one swinging for the fences in San Diego, the other redefining the limits of baseball in Los Angeles.
