Everyone thought Shohei Ohtani would take a step back in 2024. He wasn't pitching. He was "just" a designated hitter. People said you can't win an MVP if you don't play the field. Well, he didn't just win it; he essentially broke the sport of baseball.
When you look at the sheer volume of ohtani home runs 2024, the number 54 stands out. But it's not just about the total. It’s about the timing, the violence of the swing, and the way he turned a "recovery year" into the greatest offensive season we've ever seen. He didn't just hit home runs; he hunted them.
The 50/50 Myth and the Miami Massacre
Most casual fans remember the 50/50 game on September 19th in Miami. Honestly, calling it a "game" feels like an understatement. It was a glitch in the matrix. Ohtani went 6-for-6. He hit three home runs. He drove in 10 runs.
He reached the 50-home run mark against Mike Baumann of the Marlins. It was an opposite-field shot. People forget that he actually finished that game with 51 home runs because he hit another one in the ninth inning just for good measure. That night changed how we view power hitting.
Usually, when a guy is chasing a milestone, he gets tight. Ohtani got loose. He was smiling. He was aggressive. He took a high, inside heater and deposited it into the bleachers like it was a batting practice toss.
Tracking the Ohtani Home Runs 2024 Journey
The season didn't start like a fireball. In March, Ohtani had zero home runs in 26 at-bats. Critics were whispering. Maybe the elbow surgery affected his power? Maybe the move to the National League was a steeper climb than expected?
Then April happened. He hit seven. May gave us another seven. By June, the engine was fully warm, and he exploded for 12 home runs in a single month. This is where the ohtani home runs 2024 narrative shifted from "he's good" to "he's chasing history."
The distances were absurd too.
- April 3: His first as a Dodger, a 430-foot blast.
- August 23: A walk-off grand slam to reach the 40/40 club.
- September 19: The 50th home run at LoanDepot Park.
Why the 40/40 Grand Slam Was More Impressive
Everyone talks about 50/50, but the way he joined the 40/40 club was arguably more cinematic. It was August 23rd against the Tampa Bay Rays. The game was tied in the bottom of the ninth. Bases loaded.
He didn't just hit a home run; he hit a walk-off grand slam. That made him the fastest player in MLB history to reach 40 homers and 40 steals, doing it in just 126 games. For context, the previous record-holder, Alfonso Soriano, took 147 games. Ohtani basically shaved three weeks off the record.
The Physics of an Ohtani Blast
If you watch him closely, his swing changed slightly in 2024. Without the burden of a pitching schedule, he could put more torque into his lower half. His exit velocities were consistently over 110 mph.
I talked to some scouts who mentioned that his ability to stay on the "low and away" slider was what made the ohtani home runs 2024 total so high. Pitchers couldn't find a hole. If you threw inside, he turned on it. If you threw outside, he went to the opposite field.
He finished the regular season with 54 home runs. He added three more in the postseason, including a massive one in the NLDS against the Padres and two against the Mets. By the time the Dodgers lifted the World Series trophy, Ohtani had firmly established himself as the most dangerous hitter on the planet.
💡 You might also like: Warriors vs Toronto Raptors: What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
Statistical Reality Check
It's easy to get lost in the hype, so let's look at the cold numbers. He led the National League in home runs (54), runs (134), and RBIs (130). He had a slugging percentage of .646. That’s not just "good for a DH"; that’s "good for any era of baseball."
Some people argue that Aaron Judge had a "better" statistical season because of his WAR or his 58 home runs. And sure, Judge was a monster. But Judge didn't steal 59 bases. Ohtani became the only player to ever have a 50-50 season, and he nearly made it a 55-60 season.
The variety was key. He hit home runs off lefties. He hit them off righties. He hit them in day games and under the lights. Basically, if you were a pitcher in 2024, you were just a prop in Ohtani's highlight reel.
What to Do With This Information
If you're looking to truly understand the impact of the ohtani home runs 2024 season, don't just look at the box scores. Go watch the "September Surge." He hit 10 home runs in the final month while batting .393. He was playing a different game than everyone else.
To see the progression for yourself, check out the MLB Film Room archives. Look for his "Home Run #176" which made him the all-time leader for Japanese-born players, passing Hideki Matsui.
✨ Don't miss: Wrigley Field Chicago Weather: What Most People Get Wrong
If you want to track how this translates into 2025 and beyond, keep an eye on his launch angle consistency. In 2024, he stayed in the "sweet spot" (8-32 degrees) more often than any other year of his career. That’s the real secret to the power.
Moving forward, the best way to appreciate this is to compare his 2024 spray chart to his 2021 MVP year. You'll see he's no longer just a pull hitter; he's a 360-degree threat. That evolution is why 54 home runs might just be the beginning of his Dodger legacy.