The universal adoption of the DH rule signals the end of Shohei Ohtani's two-way playing era, as commentators express concern over the trend of Japanese baseball stars moving to the U.S.

Kazuhiko Takeda, a former professional pitcher and current NHK MLB commentator, recently discussed the future of baseball, expressing support for the full implementation of the designated hitter (DH) rule but also candidly stating that it will make developing two-way players more challenging.

Takeda’s professional career spanned 15 years with teams including Nippon Ham, Daiei (now SoftBank), Chunichi, and the Giants. He earned awards such as Best Relief Pitcher and Most Wins, accumulating 89 wins and 31 saves, and competed against all 12 teams, giving him deep insight into the ecosystems of both Japanese leagues.

Takeda stated plainly, “The most exciting baseball to watch is in the Pacific League because it has the DH.” With the Central League set to adopt the DH rule starting in the 2027 season, he emphasized that this change is beneficial for the entire baseball world.

He pointed out that when pitchers bat, it’s often considered “equivalent to an automatic out.” Once pitchers are removed from the batting order, the lineup’s structure and game quality will significantly improve. “Without the pitcher’s spot, the ninth batter becomes as crucial as the fourth.” He also mentioned that the only places where pitchers still bat are Japanese high school baseball, the Tokyo Big6 Universities League, and the Central League, and that standards will inevitably shift after the change.

Having played in the Pacific League facing DH power hitters and also pitched in the Central League where pitchers bat, Takeda’s perspective carries weight. He believes that pitchers and hitters each focusing on their own roles will enhance overall competitiveness.

With high school baseball and the Tokyo Big6 Universities League also adopting the DH rule starting in 2026, Takeda holds a positive view but asserts, “Except for Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, pitchers will almost never bat again, meaning Ohtani’s records will likely remain unbroken.” He predicts that future two-way superstars like Ohtani will be very rare.

Speaking of Shohei Ohtani, Takeda did not hold back his praise. He said that having watched many MLB games this year due to his commentary work, he is deeply impressed by Ohtani’s unanimous win of his fourth MVP award. “He’s beyond the ‘once-in-a-century’ label; no player like him has ever existed in history. This is no longer just a comparison between him and Babe Ruth — everyone is witnessing history.”

Compared to the unprecedented enthusiasm for MLB, Takeda also expressed concern about the future of Japanese professional baseball. He noted that Nippon Professional Baseball continues to face the outflow of star players, saying, “Honestly, it’s hard to imagine what will happen in the future; I am somewhat worried.” He added that while new stars will keep emerging, players like Ohtani are extremely rare.

However, Takeda also sees a hopeful side. He believes the Pacific League has seen significant growth in attendance in recent years, with sold-out games becoming common. Teams have invested deeply in their local communities and marketing efforts, showing a huge transformation compared to his playing days.

Regarding the Central League, which is about to introduce the DH rule, he warned that with popular teams like Hanshin and the Giants, complacency is not an option. “If they stand still, they will eventually be surpassed by the Pacific League.”