There has been a lot of conversation recently about who should hit leadoff for the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani has been the leadoff hitter in nearly every game he has played for the Dodgers in 2024 and 2025, and it remains the same this year. Oh, and I should mention that with Ohtani leading off, the Dodgers have always won the World Series. They are going for their third in a row, with Ohtani again hitting leadoff. However, some fans do not like him there and want him to hit second, third, or even fourth!
To me, this is like a famous restaurant that has won a Michelin Award or a James Beard Award as one of the best restaurants, suddenly changing the recipe of their signature dish? Why on earth would they do that? If they have been crowned the best, why change the recipe? The same is true with the Dodgers. They have won World Championships twice, with Ohtani leading off. Before I go on, let me say that a leadoff hitter usually only leads off once a game. In a 162-game season, he leads off 162 times. However, if a hitter leads off 162 times a year, that hitter will get more at-bats than the number two hitter.
Over 162 games, assuming both stay healthy and bat every day:
| Hitter | Lineup Spot | Likely AB Range |
|---|---|---|
| Shohei Ohtani | #1 | 660–700 AB |
| Mookie Betts | #2 | 640–680 AB |
So Ohtani would likely get about 15–25 more AB than Mookie over a full season.
A good “middle of the fairway” estimate:
- Ohtani: ~680 AB
- Mookie: ~660 AB
Difference: ~20 AB.
There are two important stats to consider here, and they do not include batting average:
#1 – On Base Percentage; and
#2 – OPS
OPS is one of baseball’s favorite “quick read” stats. Think of it as a hitter’s engine output—how often he gets on base, plus how much damage he does when he swings.
What OPS stands for
OPS = On-base Percentage (OBP) + Slugging Percentage (SLG)
The two ingredients
1) On-Base Percentage (OBP)
How often does a player reach base?
Includes:
- Hits
- Walks
- Hit by a pitch
OBP answers: “How hard are you to get out?”
2) Slugging Percentage (SLG)
Measures power per at-bat
- Single = 1 base
- Double = 2
- Triple = 3
- Home run = 4
SLG answers: “How much damage do you do when you connect?”
Putting it together
OPS simply adds them:
OPS = OBP + SLG
Example:
- OBP: .380
- SLG: .520
- OPS: .900
How to read OPS
| OPS | Meaning |
|---|---|
| .700 | Meh / average-ish |
| .750–.800 | Solid |
| .800–.900 | Very good |
| .900–1.000 | Star-level |
| 1.000+ | Elite / MVP territory |
Why teams love it
It blends:
- Consistency (OBP)
- Power (SLG)
…into one clean number. A guy who walks a lot and hits bombs Shohei Ohtani) will have a huge OPS.
One caveat
OPS is a bit of a “quick cocktail”—it weights OBP and SLG equally, even though getting on base is actually slightly more valuable than slugging. That’s why advanced stats like OPS+ or wRC+ exist.
Bottom line
OPS tells you:
“How often does this guy get on… and how badly does he hurt you when he does?”
Shohei Ohtani is the best hitter on the Dodgers because he has the highest SLG% (over the past two years), the highest on-base percentage, the highest OPS, the most home runs, and the most stolen bases. He is also likely the fastest and best baserunner on the team… much faster than Mookie who has lost some speed the past two years.
I’ll end this with, “Why on God’s Green Earth would you want him to get fewer chances to put a baseball into orbit?” Ohtani has hit 18 leadoff home runs in the regular season the past two years. Aaron Judge may be a better hitter for average and OPS, but he doesn’t have Ohtani’s speed, and he doesn’t have the supporting cast Shohei has. If Shohei did not have the supporting cast that he has in LA, then maybe he should hit #2 or #3, but just because “that’s what they did back in the 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s” is no reason to do it now. If a player has an OPS of over 1.00, that means that, on average, he gets to first base every AB. That’s the guy I want leading off.
If he hits a HR leading off – GREAT! Later in the game, if he comes up with runners on base, they may walk him anyway, as the Toronto Blue Jays did in the World Series last year. Statistically speaking, Ohtani is worth more to the Dodgers as a leadoff hitter. PERIOD! It’s simple math… but 5 out of 4 people struggle with math. Even Ray Charles can see that! To me, Dave Roberts, and Andrew Friedman, Ohtani is the only choice at leadoff with his unique blend of power, speed, and OPS. You are entitled to your own opinion…
Dodger Notes and News
- Dalton Rushing has an “Edge” that I could get behind… and I think his teammates like it.
- Tanner Scott can make us forget Edwin Diaz, and he is in the process of doing just that.
- I can see the Dodgers having three in the Top Ten Cy Young Votes.
- Andy Pages likely won’t hit .300 this year, as he has been very fortunate with BABIP, but I am looking for progress: 30 HR… maybe .285.
- I think Freddie Freeman will be in the running for the batting title this year.
X-Cites
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS by Jeff
Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle) 3 – OKC Comets 1
It is a rare occurrence for a low-scoring affair at OKC. LHSP Logan Allen had his best start in the LAD organization. He still has a problem with walks, as he walked 5 in 4.0 scoreless IP.
RHRP Chris Campos relieved Allen in the fifth. He surrendered a double to his first batter faced. He got two groundouts but allowed a run-scoring RBI single to tie the score. He was removed due to an apparent injury, and RHRP Keynan Middleton entered with an inherited runner. Two batters later, Tacoma took a 3-1 lead, and the final score.
OKC’s lone run came in the 4th. RF James Tibbs III drew a BB, moved to 2nd on a groundout, and scored when 2B Austin Gauthier singled.
1B Ryan Ward and Tibbs III were the other Comets who singled.
RHRP Jerming Rosario fired 2.0 scoreless innings, and LHRP Ronan Kopp pitched a scoreless 9th. This was Kopp’s second consecutive positive appearance. Although he could not help himself by issuing a BB.
Tulsa Drillers 6 – Frisco RoughRiders (Texas) 1
After a lackluster start in his last game, RHSP Patrick Copen came roaring back. He completed 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit. He walked 3 and struck out 9. He improved his record to 3-0 and lowered his ERA to 1.23 in 22 innings. In his 3 wins, Copen did not allow a run.
With one out in the 7th, Copen issued a walk on his 87th pitch. LHRP Evan Shaw got the final two outs in the 7th.
With a 6-0 lead, LHRP Maddux Bruns entered in the 8th and completed 1.0 inning, walking 2, hitting another batter, and throwing a WP. He gave up the sole Tacoma run on a sac fly.
LHRP Christian Suarez pitched a scoreless 9th with a BB and 2 K.
Tulsa scored the first run of the game in the first inning thanks to a BB, a 3B Kyle Nevin single, a 2nd BB, and an HBP, forcing in a run.
In the 6th, Tulsa scored 5 on just 3 singles, 2 BB, and 3 Tacoma errors. The big hit was Kyle Nevin’s 2-run single. This was his 2nd hit and 3 RBI. He was the only Tulsa hitter with a multi-hit game. There were no XBH.
DH Josue De Paula also had a big night with a single and 4 BB. 2B Jake Gelof reached 3 times thanks to 3 BB.
Great Lakes Loons 13 – Beloit Sky Carp (Miami) 9
The Loons scored the first run of the game, on a RF Mike Sirota HR (2).
LHSP Sterling Patrick started and had a rough game. In 4.2 IP, he allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, including 2 solo HR, 4 BB, and 6 K.
Four relievers followed with only RHRP Dilan Figueredo pitching well. He continued his sparkling start to the season. He pitched 2.0 perfect innings with 4K. He has pitched 11.2 IP, lowered his ERA to 0.77, lowered his WHIP to .043 and lowered his batting average against to .108.
Beloit held an 8-3 lead after 6, and 8-4 going into the 9th. The Loons parlayed 6 BB, 3 singles, 1 double, and a 2B Nico Perez grand slam (2) to tie the score. 3B Jose Izarra had a 2-run double. LF Charles Davalan had a 2-run single, and DH Jose Meza singled home the 9th run of the inning.
Every GL hitter had at least 1 hit, except CF Eduardo Quintero.
- Charles Davalan – 2-5, 1 BB, 1 run, 3 RBI
- Nico Perez – 2-5, 1 BB, 3 runs, 4 RBI, Grand Slam (2)
- Mike Sirota – 2-6, 2 runs, 1 RBI, HR (2)
C Jesus Galiz and Jose Izarra each had a double.
San Jose Giants 9 – Ontario Tower Buzzers 6
SS Joendry Vargas started the scoring in the 1st inning with his 3rd HR.
19-year-old RHSP Jesus Tillero allowed 4 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, 4 BB, with 3 K. 22-year-old RHRP Robby Porco followed with 1.1 scoreless innings. He has not allowed a run in 13.0 IP this year.
Four relievers followed and combined to allow 5 runs (all earned) on 7 hits, 5 BB, and 5 K.
The Loons did not score again until the 6th. 6 walks and a 3-run double (7) by Vargas finished the scoring. Vargas had 4 RBIs on the night.
LF AJ Soldra had two hits and drew a pair of walks. Soldra and Vargas were the only Ontario hitters with a multi-hit game
DH Easton Shelton was the only other Ontario hitter with an XBH, with a double (4).
Note from Mark:
Monday morning, I leave for Miami for the week. The annual Water Quality Association Show and Convention is being held there this year. Lots of wheeling and dealing – this is where a lot happens for companies like US Water Systems. It’s a whirlwind of meetings, check-ins, and meet-ups, and this is where the power base of water treatment companies makes deals. TRANSLATION: I will be out all week. Carry on!
Rushing is a real one.
George can play CF and bat 9th for us some day.
JDP looking like a starting LF in 2028.
Sirota has big leaguer written on him too.
Looking forward to getting Snell back to complete the four ace hand. Just need a couple of Sheehan/Wrobleski/Sasaki to be good.
It’s all about October
Doesn’t matter where Ohtani hits in the lineup if he continues to swing wildly at everything out of the strike zone! He’s been awful on the roadtrip! Pitching? Whole different story!
Glasnow is a beast! Health is the only thing that can beat him!
Tucker looked much better in the cleanup spot. Maybe Ohtani was leaking on him!
Apple TV tonight! Thanks MLB!
Kinda wish Sasaki was pitching today.
I want to see Sheehan. He’s started late but he might be close to finding his form. People forget he was as good as anyone of of SPs to end last regular season.
I was at the Loons game last night in Beloit. I was waiting outside the main gate for my family during Sirota’s first at bat. The gate is 50 yards past the center field fence.
I heard the crack of the bat but couldn’t pick up the ball. A second or so later the ball smacked the pavement 10 feet in front of me. Scared the cr@p outta me. What a monster blast!
Is Beloit still in the same stadium it was about 20 years ago?
I went there once to see Clayton Kershaw’s debut in A-Ball.
Brand new stadium about 1.5 miles from my house! Beautiful place right on the river.
Right before he hit it the announcers were talking about the wind. He got it right up into the stream.
Sirota is the real deal and hopefully he can stay healthy. He was a steal in the trade for Gavin Lux with the Reds which the Dodgers also acquired one of the Red’s top picks in the 2025 Draft and we also acquired Charles Davalan, another highly regarded prospect.
https://ladodgertalk.com/2025/05/14/mike-sirota-diamond-in-the-rough/
https://ladodgertalk.com/2025/11/29/dont-sleep-on-sirota/
They both have game power.
Friday’s Dodger Allilates’ Schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Brooks Auger) at Beloit (TBD)
5:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Jackson Ferris) vs. Tacoma (Gabe Mosser)
5:05 p.m. PT: Tulsa (Wyatt Crowell) at Frisco (Leandro Lopez)
7:00 p.m. PT: Ontario (TBD) at San Jose (Braydon Risley)
As of April 24, 2026, the four full-season Los Angeles Dodgers minor league affiliates have the following standings:
Class Team League W-L Record Division Rank
Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets Pacific Coast (East) 10–11 3rd
Double-A Tulsa Drillers Texas (North) 14–4 1st
High-A Great Lakes Loons Midwest (East) 10–7 1st
Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers California (South) 7–10 2nd
JDP will be in OKC by the end of the season.
I see James Tibbs III and his 1.100 OPS is hitting fourth for OKC. Weird….. Lol Mark.
Have a productive week in Florida!
Ohtani battng leadoff is not why we’re struggling.
You think major league rules apply to minor league development?
It’s going to be a lot of fun to see all these young outfielders and where they end up. I’m a big fan of Davalan. Just a stud bat. And George making a big statement this year. Tho the only can’t miss prospect for me is DePaula.
Hope hits the ball hard but has a lot of swing and miss. I like his opposite field approach. In fact, Tibbs, JDP & Hope all have off-field approaches.
Correction, when 2024 started after the trip to Korea, the Dodgers leadoff hitter was Mookie. Betts started off hot and stayed in the leadoff spot until he had his hand broken on a pitch against the Royals on June 16th. At that point in the season Betts was hitting .304/10/40. He had walked more than he had struck out, had 10 steals and was caught just once. He had 4 homers as a leadoff hitter and was hitting .295 with a .375 OBP and a .938 OPS. Ohtani took over the next game as the leadoff hitter. He went 3-5, all singles, stole 1 base in LA’s 9-6 win at Colorado. As a leadoff hitter that year, he batted .263 with 6 homers. He struck out 19 times and walked 10. His OBP was .344 and his OPS .919. Yes, Ohtani is going to hit you some homers as the leadoff man but getting him the extra AB’s also means more wasted at bats because he strikes out a whole lot more than Betts. Betts over his career has better numbers as a leadoff hitter. Ohtani has 26 homers leading off games in his career with a .289 BA. Mookie has 52 and a .286. I wonder how many of those games the team won when Ohtani hit a leadoff homer. I also wonder how many missed RBI opportunities have happened when Ohtani had at bats like he did last night, waving at pitches he could never hit. I grant you that the guy is different, but he is not the best hitter on the team.
Can you list the other Dodgers with a two year OPS over .1000? And how many intentional walks does the entire Dodger team compared to Ohtani? Other teams must consider him the best Dodger hitter. One month does not a season make. He’s had a bad couple of weeks and he’s pressing. Every player goes through dry spells.
As for the current version of Mookie, he should be batting 7th, not leadoff.
Not the point. And by the way, in 2024 Ohtani received 1 intention walk as a leadoff hitter and 3 in 25. He got 10 intentional walks in 24 and 20 last year. As a team, LA had 33 in 24 and 33 in 25. Look, we look at leadoff hitters differently. I care less about slug out of the leadoff spot. Common sense has a team with their BEST hitter in the 3-hole. Ohtani hit more homers last season than 24 and drove in 28 less runs. His BA was lower too. The only stat higher in 25 were his strikeouts and his OBP which went up .002, probably because of his walks. If Mookie is healthy, he is no #7 hitter. One or two maybe, but not 7. I am not talking about just one month. Overall, he strikes out way too much, but most power hitters do. You look at his career; he is a .281/44/106 average over a 162-game season. Great, I’ll take that from any player. I just believe he serves the team better in a lower spot in the order. I hate strikeouts by any player, especially a guy who is supposed to be the straw that stirs the drink. I care less about OPS, that is for the stat geeks, I care about results and beating teams you should dominate.
Agree, and we can’t keep looking at ‘career’. What’s happening now. And ohtani shouldn’t DH when pitching
Royals hoping to get a new ballpark in downtown KC.
Bear, it’s a done deal
Cool, when are they going to start building it?
Would be interesting to know the hitting stats of Ohtani leading off the game. As Mark stated Ohtani may only lead off once in a game. Can one of you gurus push some button and find out what Ohtani’s numbers are leading off the game.
Lots of conversation yesterday about shaking up the line up by every announcer.
It’s not the line up. It’s the approaches that’s the problem.
Funny how that’s evolved to get more at bats. Now being the “clean-up hitter” is a demotion.
Joe is always figuring out how many batters away is Ohtani’s turn. Right now he needs to be in the 9 hole. From bat to bat, he can look like the best hitter ever and then the worst. He can’t decide what’s a strike.
Yeah, I know, it’s early, he’s OPSing over .800, don’t panic, this is temporary.
But it’s hard to watch and hard to understand why he takes cock-shots and swings at shit in the right-hand batter’s box.
Gotta take the good with the bad.
Outstanding starting pitching the whole series. Glasnow is outstanding. With the exception of Dreyer on Wednesday, the pitching has bee great.
Nice win and nice day in the City, yesterday.
Probably the highlight of the SF season.