Shohei Ohtani Picked HIM?! Inside the Unlikely Rise of Ben Casparius

In the whirlwind world of Major League Baseball, where stars shine bright and legends are born in the blink of an eye, every once in a while, a story emerges that defies expectation. A story that starts in the shadows and ends—at least for now—in the glaring spotlight of greatness. This is that story. The tale of Ben Casparius, a name few outside of minor league circles recognized until recently, and his unexpected journey to becoming Shohei Ohtani’s pitching partner with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s not often that someone goes from near anonymity to being attached to the biggest name in modern baseball. But Casparius’s rise is anything but conventional—and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling.

The Unseen Road to Dodger Stadium

Before Ben Casparius found himself toeing the rubber at Dodger Stadium, he was simply another name on a long list of hopefuls grinding it out in the minors. Drafted in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021, Casparius was never considered a top-tier prospect. He didn’t come with a fastball that hit triple digits or a devastating slider that sent scouts scrambling for superlatives. What he did have, though, was a tireless work ethic, an analytical mind, and a burning desire to compete.

Coming out of UConn, where he transferred after starting his college career at North Carolina, Casparius was known more for his academic achievements than his raw velocity. But in a sport where nuance often trumps flash, that precision and maturity would prove vital.

His early minor league years were a battle of attrition—navigating injuries, learning how to handle professional hitters, and constantly adapting his approach. He was a student of the game, frequently seen analyzing video, dissecting data, and studying hitters’ tendencies. Still, few could have predicted that one day Shohei Ohtani, the two-way phenom and global icon, would choose him as his partner on the mound.

Shohei Ohtani: The Decision That Shocked the League

When Shohei Ohtani signed his record-shattering deal with the Dodgers, all eyes were on how the team would manage his dual roles and eventual return to pitching following surgery. But in the midst of those questions, one decision raised even more eyebrows: Ohtani reportedly requested Ben Casparius as his bullpen partner.

The baseball world collectively gasped. Who?

Insiders scrambled for answers, and speculation buzzed through the media. Was this a publicity stunt? Was there a hidden story? What could have prompted one of the most dominant players in baseball history to choose a relatively unknown pitcher as his pitching partner?

The truth, as it turns out, is far more interesting—and human—than anyone expected.

Shared Values, Shared Vision

Sources close to the organization revealed that Ohtani had taken notice of Casparius during spring training. What stood out wasn’t his velocity or his stats—but his preparation, his demeanor, and his consistency. Ohtani, ever the perfectionist, saw in Casparius a kindred spirit: someone who approached the game with the same almost obsessive attention to detail.

In the hyper-intense world that Ohtani operates in, finding teammates who not only understand his process but enhance it is no small task. According to Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, the pairing “just made sense.”

“Shohei needs someone who doesn’t just show up to throw but shows up to work. That’s Ben,” Prior said. “He’s disciplined, he communicates, and he pushes everyone around him to be better—including Shohei.”

What might have seemed random was, in reality, a choice grounded in mutual respect and compatibility. Ohtani reportedly told Dodgers staff he felt Casparius’s “timing, tempo, and focus” aligned with his own needs. For a man like Ohtani—whose routines are legendary and whose attention to every mechanical detail borders on the surgical—such alignment is priceless.

The Impact on Casparius’s Career

If Casparius felt the weight of suddenly being thrust into the spotlight, he hasn’t shown it. In fact, those around him say he’s embraced the moment with quiet confidence.

“There was never a panic,” said catcher Will Smith, who has caught both Ohtani and Casparius in bullpen sessions. “Ben acts like he belongs—and now he does.”

Working alongside Ohtani has not only accelerated Casparius’s development but also reshaped his own expectations. His command has sharpened, his sequencing more sophisticated, and his confidence has soared. The proximity to greatness has been a masterclass, and Casparius is soaking up every bit of it.

There’s also the very real physical benefit. Ohtani’s carefully managed throwing schedule and attention to recovery routines have rubbed off on Casparius, who has adopted many of the same techniques. From weighted ball exercises to recovery drones and biomechanical analysis, Casparius is now operating at a level of sophistication that few minor leaguers ever experience.

And it’s paying off. His performance has seen measurable upticks across several metrics: decreased walk rate, increased spin efficiency, and a notable rise in strikeout-to-walk ratio. In short, he’s not just Ohtani’s partner—he’s becoming a legitimate MLB pitcher in his own right.

A Dynamic Duo Unlike Any Other

The beauty of this partnership lies not just in the logistics but in the symbolism. At a time when baseball is increasingly dominated by data, algorithms, and scouting rankings, the Ohtani-Casparius bond is a reminder that the human element still matters.

One is a global superstar, the face of an era. The other, a grinder with something to prove. Together, they represent a fusion of talent and determination, of spotlight and shadow.

Their sessions have even become a quiet spectacle at Dodgers practices. Beat reporters note that other pitchers often linger after their own drills, curious to watch the rhythm and synergy between the two. Ohtani, typically reserved, has been seen laughing more—engaging in rare moments of levity with Casparius.

“You can tell Shohei trusts him,” said one team source. “That’s not something you can manufacture. It’s earned.”

What the Future Holds

It’s too early to say what long-term role Ben Casparius will play on this Dodgers team. Will he make the rotation full-time? Will he serve in a bullpen capacity? Or will he remain primarily as Ohtani’s bullpen companion, his value measured more in preparation than performance?

One thing, however, is certain: he’s made his mark.

In a league where names can be forgotten overnight and careers vanish before they begin, Casparius has carved out his niche. And he’s done it the hard way—by showing up, putting in the work, and earning the respect of arguably the greatest two-way player the game has ever seen.

The Legacy of a Moment

When baseball historians look back on the Shohei Ohtani era, they’ll no doubt focus on his jaw-dropping stats, his unprecedented ability to dominate both at the plate and on the mound, and his trailblazing path through two continents. But somewhere in the margins, there will be a footnote. A story of an unsung hero who found his moment not by chasing the spotlight, but by supporting it.

That footnote is Ben Casparius.

In the sprawling symphony of a 162-game season, not every note is a crescendo. Some are soft, some are subtle. But without them, the music would be incomplete. Casparius may never win a Cy Young, but he’s already playing a pivotal part in one of the most compelling storylines of the modern game.

Shohei Ohtani picked him—and that might end up being the smartest decision of all.