How Many Breaking Balls Does Shohei Ohtani Have? From the Sweeper to the “Magic Ball,” a Complete Breakdown!

Shohei Ohtani, the two-way star dominating Major League Baseball (MLB). While much of the spotlight falls on his home-run power as a hitter, here we focus on his pitching — specifically, the types of breaking balls he throws. What breaking balls does he use, and how are they structured? Let’s uncover the full picture.

Ohtani’s Appeal as a Pitcher

1. Overwhelming Velocity and Fastball Presence

Ohtani’s four-seam fastball averages around 158 km/h (about 97 mph) and has been clocked as high as 102.5 mph (165 km/h). Using this blistering fastball as his foundation, he is able to mix in a wide variety of breaking pitches — his greatest weapon.

2. The Skill to Confuse Hitters with Diverse Breaking Balls

His arsenal is incredibly rich: splitter, curveball, slider, cutter, sweeper (a sweeping slider), among others. This variety allows him to disrupt hitters’ timing.

3. Command and Pitch Selection According to Situation

Ohtani skilfully alternates between his fastball and breaking pitches, adjusting to the catcher’s calls and the hitter’s approach. He himself has said, “If I can throw the fastball well, it makes it easier to throw breaking balls.” His command and situational awareness make his pitching especially effective.

Breaking Balls: A Pitch-by-Pitch Analysis

Based on the latest data, here’s a breakdown of the pitches Ohtani has used from 2023–2025.

Pitch Types, Usage Rate, and Average Velocity (2025, from data sites like Kyusoku.com):

In 2023, the sweeper was his most-used pitch, followed by the fastball, cutter, splitter, sinker, curve, and slider. According to BrooksBaseball and PitcherList, Ohtani’s repertoire includes: four-seam fastball, slider, sweeper, sinker, splitter, cutter, and curveball.

The Sweeper (Sweeping Slider)

In recent years, the sweeper has become Ohtani’s go-to breaking ball. It features a massive horizontal break. In 2023, it accounted for over 37% of his pitches, rising to nearly 49% in 2025. In the WBC final, he famously struck out Mike Trout with a sweeper — a testament to its dominance.

The Splitter

This has been one of Ohtani’s signature pitches since his days in Japan. Scouts have long called it his “best breaking ball.” The contrast in speed and movement compared to his four-seamer makes it devastating. However, its usage is carefully managed to reduce strain on his elbow.

Other Breaking Balls: Curveball, Slider, Cutter, Sinker

• Curveball: Used sparingly but effective when deployed. Ohtani has mentioned he’d like to use it more often along with his splitter.
• Cutter: A sharp, late-breaking pitch that seems to “disappear” into the catcher’s mitt. Thrown at relatively high velocity.
• Sinker (two-seamer): Nearly as fast as his four-seamer, but with sinking movement that induces weak contact. Usage is around 6–7%.
• Slider (traditional): Thrown less frequently than the sweeper, but an important strikeout weapon.

Total Pitch Repertoire

Taken together, Ohtani commands seven to eight distinct pitches. Catcher Max Stassi even once said, “He’s got eight or nine pitches.”

Ohtani’s Future as a Pitcher

1. Greater Variety and Strategic Pitch Use

Ohtani himself has expressed interest in incorporating more curveballs and splitters, which could expand his game-to-game versatility.

2. Health Management and Workload Control

With such a broad repertoire, there are natural concerns about strain on his elbow and body. Monitoring innings and workload will be key.

3. Further Refinement of the Sweeper

Already his most dominant pitch, the sweeper will likely continue to evolve and remain his ultimate weapon.

4. Mental Growth and Adaptive Strategy

His ability to quickly adjust to hitters’ responses and build game-specific strategies will only improve with experience.

Conclusion

• Shohei Ohtani is a highly advanced pitcher who uses his four-seam fastball as the foundation for a diverse arsenal: sweeper, splitter, cutter, sinker, slider, curveball, and more.
• In recent years, the sweeper has become his signature weapon, baffling hitters with its fierce horizontal break.
• Looking ahead, his expanded use of the curve and splitter, careful workload management, and continued mental maturity will be key.
• This uniquely diverse pitch mix enhances Ohtani’s value as one of a kind.

As Ohtani continues to shine in MLB, global interest in baseball only grows. Just as Nomo and Ichiro once inspired fans, Ohtani’s remarkable play fuels dreams and excitement for people everywhere.