What is the Ohtani Rule for Two-Way Players? Breaking Down the MLB Change

The Rise of Two-Way Players in Baseball

Two-way players have always been a rarity in professional baseball. But, man, when Shohei Ohtani burst onto the scene, it felt like a whole new era was dawning. Ohtani’s ability to dominate both as a pitcher and a hitter is so rare and exceptional that it’s almost like watching a unicorn on the field. But here's the thing: as incredible as this is, it raised a lot of questions about how the game should handle players like him.

That’s where the "Ohtani Rule" comes in. Yeah, it sounds like a nickname, and honestly, it's a bit of a shortcut for something way more technical. But this rule, officially implemented in 2022, changed how teams and the league think about two-way players. So, what exactly is this rule? Let’s break it down together.

What Exactly is the Ohtani Rule?

The Ohtani Rule is an amendment to MLB's roster guidelines that was put in place to make it easier for players like Shohei Ohtani to serve as both a pitcher and a hitter, without causing too much chaos in roster management. Under this rule, teams can list a two-way player like Ohtani as both a pitcher and a hitter on their roster. This is a game-changer because, traditionally, teams had to choose one role or the other for a player.

Why Was the Rule Created?

Well, the primary reason is simple: Shohei Ohtani has been so unique that the league needed a way to accommodate his extraordinary skills without forcing him into an unrealistic box. Before this rule, if a player pitched in a game, they couldn’t hit until they were removed from the mound. For a guy like Ohtani, who often does both in the same game, this created some logistical nightmares.

It became clear that the system didn’t really serve the interests of baseball’s future stars. So, the Ohtani Rule lets teams treat two-way players more flexibly, maintaining their value as both pitchers and hitters without running into roster restrictions.

How Does the Ohtani Rule Work in Practice?

I had a conversation with a buddy last year about how this rule works in real life, and we were both pretty surprised by some of the specifics. Basically, if a player is designated as a two-way player (like Ohtani), they can remain in the game as both a pitcher and a hitter, without the usual rules that limit their role during a game.

Active Role Flexibility

Under the Ohtani Rule, a two-way player can pitch and hit in the same game. This might sound pretty simple, but the way the rule works means that the player can stay in the game as a hitter even after they’ve been pulled from pitching duties. This gives managers the flexibility to use their two-way player in a way that makes sense, depending on the game situation.

What’s even better is that, as long as the player is designated as a two-way player at the start of the season, this flexibility is maintained throughout the season. So, yeah, Ohtani isn’t just playing on one side of the game, he’s playing on both without restrictions.

Does the Ohtani Rule Benefit MLB Teams?

Honestly, at first, I wasn’t sure if this was a real game-changer. I mean, the rule seems pretty specific to players like Ohtani, so would it really matter to anyone else? But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The rule provides two major benefits for teams and the sport:

1. Increased Strategic Flexibility: Teams can use their two-way players more effectively, especially in close games where a pinch hitter or extra pitcher might be needed. Managers now have one more weapon in their arsenal, which can lead to better strategic decisions.

2. More Two-Way Players: The rule could encourage more players to develop both pitching and hitting skills, which is great for the sport overall. It might also open the door for more players to follow in Ohtani’s footsteps, though that’s not an easy task!

How Teams Are Adapting to the Ohtani Rule

Here’s where it gets interesting. Some teams have already started utilizing this rule in creative ways, especially when they have younger talent who can handle both duties. I spoke with a colleague about this last week, and they mentioned a few teams trying to develop their own "Ohtani-like" prospects.

However, not every player can pull off both roles at a high level, which means that the rule is still mostly beneficial to a select group. Still, it’s possible we’ll see more "Ohtani clones" in the future. As the game evolves, teams will likely get better at developing dual-threat athletes.

Will the Ohtani Rule Make Baseball More Exciting?

This is where it gets a bit speculative, but I truly think the Ohtani Rule could make baseball even more exciting. Can you imagine more players like Ohtani, coming up through the ranks and flipping the script on what it means to be a major league player? It could shift how the game is played, making it more dynamic and, honestly, a lot more fun to watch.

I have to admit, though, I’m a little doubtful about whether we’ll see many Ohtani-like players in the future. After all, being an elite pitcher AND hitter at the highest level is a huge ask. But hey, stranger things have happened in baseball.

Conclusion: Is the Ohtani Rule a Game-Changer?

Honestly, yes, the Ohtani Rule is definitely a game-changer. It’s not just about making exceptions for a single player—it’s about recognizing the future of baseball and adapting to it. As the sport evolves, this rule will likely pave the way for even more exciting and unconventional players, which can only be good for the game.

Now, don’t get me wrong—this rule doesn’t solve every problem, and it's still a bit of a stretch for most players to excel in both roles. But for a guy like Shohei Ohtani, it makes all the difference. And who knows? Maybe next season we’ll see more two-way players lighting up the league like never before.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.