Shohei Ohtani, surprisingly, ranks only third among the most popular baseball players for Japanese high school students!

A survey titled "Top 3 Favorite Professional Baseball Players Voted by Japanese High School Players" has been released, and unexpectedly, Shohei Ohtani placed just third! The number one spot went to Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confusion over this, stating that Ohtani’s disciplined attitude should serve as a role model for everyone.

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani usually leads in stats such as performance on the field, endorsement earnings, and popularity across the Major Leagues, with a clear margin over the second-ranked player. However, in the recent voting for the favorite professional baseball player among Japanese high school students, Ohtani not only failed to claim first place but also missed second, finishing third instead.

Japanese online broadcaster ABEMA revealed the results of the "Top 3 Favorite Professional Baseball Players Voted by Japanese High School Players" on their program. The second place went to SoftBank infielder Kenta Imamiya, with the Cubs’ "Japanese Trout" Seiya Suzuki taking first, and Shohei Ohtani ranking third. Dodgers manager Roberts found this hard to accept, saying: "Shohei Ohtani is the real number one; everyone around the world loves him." "Shohei always maintains intense focus, whether as an infielder, outfielder, pitcher, or fielder. I believe his self-discipline is exemplary; he’s the most disciplined athlete I have ever seen."

As for why Japanese high school students prefer Seiya Suzuki over Shohei Ohtani, Japanese media analysis suggests that although Ohtani’s achievements and skills are indisputable, his overwhelming "legendary" aura creates a sense of distance for high school players still competing on the Koshien stage. In contrast, Suzuki’s steady progress and growth into the Major Leagues resonates more with young players.