Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is often the most intimidating player anytime he steps on the diamond.
Last season, he was named the National League MVP unanimously after posting a season that saw him smack 54 home runs, while also swiping 59 stolen bases. He did this all while recovering from a 2023 UCL repair procedure. When he does pitch, the 30-year-old also happens to be a dominant force, as his pitches frequently flirt with triple digits on the radar gun.
However, similar to players in the NFL who seem intimidating and massive in their sport, the 6-foot-4 Ohtani looked average when standing next to former UC Irvine star Mamadou N’Diaye. The two-time Big West Defensive Player of the Year stands in at 7-foot-6 and got the opportunity to spend some time with the Dodgers as they go through spring training.
It’s an opportunity that led to a jaw-dropping photo between he and Ohtani and elicited plenty of reactions from fans in the comments.
“Ohtani looks small,” wrote one.
“Never realized how big Ohtani is…he’s taller than a lot of NBA Pgs,” commented another.
“Dave Roberts looks like a little kid compared to him,” joked another.
“But when Ohtani stands on his wallet he’s 7’7,” said another.
“Bro it looks like a meet and greet with a high school kid lol. This is insane because Shohei is a big dude,” said one fan.
“Imagine being 6’6 and feeling the tallest and then you see a guy a whole foot taller than you,” commented another.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17).
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
While there aren’t any seven-footers roaming around MLB, San Francisco Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle is the closest at 6-foot-11, which is tied with Jon Rauch as the tallest players in MLB history.
As for Ohtani, who has been recovering from surgery following a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which he suffered in the World Series, MLB.com’s Jack Magruder revealed he is expected to make his spring debut sometime this week. Magruder also revealed that Ohtani is expected to be a part of the Dodgers lineup for the Tokyo Series against the Cubs, which is March 18-19.
With the Dodgers being known as big spenders and possibly in need of an arm, maybe they can teach N’Diaye to pitch. It’s a sight that would be terrifying for hitters if he figured it out.
