"Copying Aaron Judge"; "Imagine being born and your dad is Shohei Ohtani" - Fans react as Dodgers superstar shares joyous news of wife's pregnancy

Shohei Ohtani Jr. is on its way. Until last season, not much emerged in the personal life of the three-time MVP. However, a year since then, Ohtani introduced his wife Mamiko Tanaka before the start of the 2024 season, talked about his relationship with his dog Decoy and now the update that would trend Ohtani again. Only this time, it's for off-field news.

On Saturday, Ohtani shared the news that the couple is expecting their first child. He posted an image featuring Decoy lying beside baby items like a pink onesie, baby shoes and a card with a baby emoji. The caption read:

"Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!"

Some fans humorously pointed out the timing, comparing the news to Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees' captain, who shared a similar announcement. The two-time MVP is expecting a girl in 2025 with his wife Samantha Bracksieck.

"Copying Judge," one tweeted.

"Imagine being born and your dad is Shohei fucking Ohtani," one fan wrote.

"When Shohei Ohtani's unborn child is inevitably taken in first round of the 2043 draft... the Dodgers will still be paying his Dad $68 million a year," another commented referencing Ohtani's deferred deal with Dodgers that will see him getting paid when his son/daughter comes of age.

"Super hunan kid," another reacted.

"Yes please have 10 more," another joked.

"@JonHeyman is going to be live tweeting the whole process for the next 9 months," another took a jibe at MLB Insider.

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Shohei Ohtani's 2024 recap ft. Decoy, Mamiko Tanaka and "little rookie"

Shohei Ohtani has had a year to fall back upon when he feels down. After signing a blockbuster deal with the Dodgers last season, everything seems to come together in Ohtani's life.

He introduced his wife Mamiko Tanaka before the 2024 Seoul Series. She's a former basketball player, who played for Japan at the international youth and collegiate level. She also played professionally for four seasons for the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Women's Japan Basketball League (2019-2023).

Several bobbleheads of Ohtani and Decoy were made public, and their announcement sent Chavez Ravine standing into lines of thousands.

On the baseball front, Ohtani became the first player to record a 50-50 season, wrapping up the regular season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. It was followed by a maiden postseason appearance and his first World Series win with the Dodgers.

With the year coming to an end, 2024 could be the year Ohtani feels most grateful about.