If you’ve spent any time watching a Dodgers game lately, you’ve probably heard the announcers talk about "Shotime" like he’s some kind of ageless deity. It’s a fair point. The guy is essentially a glitch in the matrix, doing things on a baseball field that haven't been seen since the era of black-and-white television. But despite the mythic status, Shohei is very much bound by the same calendar as the rest of us.
Right now, as we move through January 2026, how old is Shohei Ohtani? He is 31 years old.
Specifically, he was born on July 5, 1994. If you’re a stickler for details, that makes him 31 years and roughly six months old at this exact moment. He won’t hit the big 3-2 until this coming summer.
It’s weird to think about, right? In many ways, Ohtani feels like a grizzled veteran because he’s been the face of the sport for years. On the other hand, the way he runs the bases—hitting 55 homers and swiping 20 bags in 2025—makes him look like a kid who just got called up from Triple-A and is trying to prove something.
The Weird Paradox of Shohei's Career Clock
Most people get confused about his age because his career has two distinct start dates. In Japan, he was already a superstar for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters while American teenagers were still figuring out their college majors. He started playing professionally in the NPB at 18. By the time he actually made his MLB debut in 2018, he was 23.
💡 You might also like: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
That five-year gap is why his "baseball age" feels so much older than his actual birth certificate. He has the mileage of a 15-year pro but the arm (when it’s healthy) and the legs of a man in his absolute physical prime.
Honestly, the most fascinating thing isn't just the number. It's how that number correlates to his "Goal Sheet." If you haven't seen the list he wrote back in high school, it’s legitimately insane. He had planned to win a World Series and get married by 26. He was a few years off on the World Series—finally getting that ring with the Dodgers recently—but he did manage to announce his marriage to Mamiko Tanaka right around that 29-30 age window.
Why 31 is the "Danger Zone" for Two-Way Stars
There is a lot of talk in the analytics community about the "aging curve." For most hitters, 31 is the tail end of the peak. For pitchers, it's often when the velocity starts to dip or the elbow ligaments start to complain.
Ohtani is currently navigating that exact tightrope. We saw him return to the mound in 2025 after that second major elbow procedure. He looked solid—posting a 2.87 ERA over 14 starts—but the Dodgers were being incredibly careful. They aren't just protecting a pitcher; they're protecting a $700 million investment that happens to be the best designated hitter in the world.
📖 Related: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
How Old is Shohei Ohtani When the Contract Ends?
This is the part that makes front-office executives lose sleep. Shohei’s massive 10-year deal with the Dodgers runs through 2033.
When that contract finally expires, Ohtani will be 39 years old.
Because of the way he deferred $680 million of that money, he’s basically going to be getting paid $68 million a year starting in 2034, which is when he’ll be 40. Imagine being 45 years old, long retired, and still cashing checks for sixty-eight million dollars every single year. That is the kind of leverage you get when you’re a once-in-a-century talent.
The Milestones Left on the Clock
As Shohei moves through his 30s, the "how old is Shohei" question becomes less about his birth date and more about his legacy. He’s already checked off the 50/50 club (which he basically invented). He’s already got the MVPs in both leagues.
👉 See also: Scores of the NBA games tonight: Why the London Game changed everything
What’s left?
- The 3,000 Hit Club: This is a long shot. Because he spent those early years in Japan and has missed time with injuries, he’s got a steep hill to climb.
- The 500 Home Run Club: This is much more realistic. At 31, he’s sitting on 280 career MLB homers. If he averages 35 a year for the next six years, he’s right there.
- The Cy Young: He’s been close. But winning a Cy Young at 32 or 33 while also being a top-tier DH? That would be the ultimate "mic drop" on his career.
What You Should Keep an Eye On This Year
If you’re tracking his progress, the 2026 season is going to be the real test of his longevity. Historically, 31 is when the body starts to take longer to recover. He’s dealt with oblique issues, that shoulder subluxation in the '24 World Series, and the recurring elbow surgeries.
But here’s the thing: Ohtani isn't "most players." He’s a guy who sleeps 10 hours a day and treats his body like a high-performance laboratory.
Basically, don't bet against him. Whether he's 31, 35, or 39, he’s likely to keep breaking things—mostly records, and occasionally a scoreboard or two with a 450-foot blast.
Actionable Takeaways for the Fans
- Check the schedule: If you want to see him pitch, the Dodgers usually announce his starts about 5 days out. At 31, he likely won't be on a standard 5-day rotation; expect a 6-day cycle to preserve his arm.
- Watch the exit velocity: If you notice his power numbers dipping, check his age-related stats. So far, his "hard-hit percentage" hasn't dropped at all despite entering his 30s.
- Ignore the "retirement" talk: On his high school goal list, he mentioned thinking about retirement at 38. We still have a solid 7 years of peak Shohei left before we even have to worry about that.
If you’re looking to grab tickets for his next milestone, keep an eye on his home run count as he approaches the 300 mark. He’s currently only 20 away, and at his current pace, he could hit that before his 32nd birthday in July.