Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is a one-of-a-kind talent with a special talent and incredible work ethic.
He can hit like a top-three slugger while also reaching the height of a top-three pitcher.
Not since Babe Ruth has a player been able to produce at such an efficient rate, but even legends from the previous generation couldn’t reach Ohtani’s heights.
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While Ohtani is difficult to teach just about everything, that hasn’t stopped other players from emulating his skills, most recently New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones.
February 21, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a home run during the second inning of a spring training game against the Detroit Tigers at George Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Jones is a true slugger with great power and good defense, coupled with on-base speed, but he has struggled to make consistent, quality contact, which cost him a spot on the major league roster.
However, he made changes to his swing to help maintain consistent, high-quality contact – using a toe-down swing that gets his feet to the ground quickly.
toe-down swing
Ohtani is a taller player with the same swing style, and Jones has been studying the reigning MVP and incorporating it into his arsenal.
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“The guy with the best toe-down swing is Ohtani,” Jones said. “So it was just looking at some of the moves he made that aligned with some of the things I wanted to do.”
Jones has been on a roll early in spring training, going 3-for-10 with three home runs, four hits and two walks.
Star Aaron Judge noticed the change in Jones’ swing and believed it would be for the best.
“I think the biggest thing I noticed in his swing was he just set up to hit the ball,” Judge said of his swing.
“The minute he taps that foot with his little toe, he’s ready to hit. Maybe they might have had a lot of heat on him in the past or even last season. I think that’s going to help him. He doesn’t have a big kick; he doesn’t have to worry about knocking it down.
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“That speed, that preparation is really going to be a game-changer for him.”
Ohtani is the greatest player in baseball and a role model for Jones to follow, but if any player can achieve the success that Japan has had, there might be something worthwhile about it.