Shohei Ohtani's favorite Pokémon and MLB players' picks

It looks like Pokémon plays a big role in the lives of many Major League Baseball (MLB) players. A recent interview with several MLB players revealed their favorite Pokémon, with well-known Japanese star Shohei Ohtani standing out. Ohtani, who is often mentioned as an MVP candidate, named Pikachu as his favorite Pokémon.

MLB players' picks

Along with Ohtani, several other players also chose iconic first-generation Pokémon. Both Mike Trout and Tarik Skubal named Charizard as their favorite Pokémon. Pete Alonso, known for his power hitting, picked Blastoise as his top choice, while Hunter Brown listed Snorlax as his favorite Pokémon. That’s an interesting pick, considering he only pitches every five days, which lines up with Snorlax’s laziness. Jordan Walker, an up-and-coming star in baseball, chose Dialga, while Colton Cowser said he’s working on completing a Mega Evolution card set and still needs four cards to finish his collection.

The consensus: Pikachu

One notable takeaway from the interview is that fifteen different MLB players chose Pikachu as their favorite Pokémon. That reflects the enduring popularity of the iconic character, which continues to attract new generations of fans every year. Despite the wide range of other Pokémon picks, Pikachu seems to be the clear winner among MLB players.

Pokémon's impact on this generation of players

Today’s MLB player pool is made up mostly of Millennials and Gen Z, who grew up during Pokémon’s rise. That has clearly influenced their preferences and the way they blend hobbies and interests into their lives. It’s interesting to see how these cultural touchstones continue to inspire players, even while they’re playing professional baseball.

These choices highlight not just personal taste, but also the broader influence of the Pokémon universe on younger generations of athletes. The connection between sports, fandom, and pop culture keeps growing, and Pokémon seems to be a major part of that.

In recent years, Pokémon has become increasingly relevant across different fields, with new games and media launches drawing the attention of a wide audience. Looking ahead, it’s clear that Pokémon will continue to have a lasting impact on both the entertainment and sports worlds.