Fernando Tatis Jr. follows Shohei Ohtani’s playbook — and the numbers prove he’s right

A few days ago, Fernando Tatis Jr. made waves by announcing a new endorsement deal with Ito En, the world’s leading green tea company. The partnership didn’t come out of nowhere. According to reports, the brand reached out to the Dominican star after the World Baseball Classic — all because he was one of the few players who didn’t hide or remove the sponsor’s bottles during press conferences.

Tatis understood something crucial: the biggest money in baseball often comes off the field. By becoming an ambassador for Ito En — just like Shohei Ohtani — he’s positioning himself for long‑term financial growth that goes far beyond his on‑field production.

And considering what Ohtani is projected to earn in 2026, Tatis’ decision looks smarter than ever.

Ohtani’s endorsement empire

Shohei Ohtani, widely considered the best player in baseball today, has built a financial empire that matches his historic talent. Ito En isn’t even his biggest deal — it’s just one of many.

According to Forbes, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar sits atop MLB’s earnings list by a massive margin, making about $70 million more than the next player on the list.

Between his MLB salary and a long roster of endorsements — New Balance, Fanatics, Japan Airlines, Ito En, Kowa, Syncron, and more — Ohtani is expected to bring in around $130 million this year.

So yes — Tatis choosing to align with Ito En, even though many Dominican fans criticized the brand for being associated with a rival during the WBC, now makes perfect sense.

How much does Ohtani make per second?

If you really want to understand the scale of Ohtani’s financial world, here’s what his projected $127 million in 2026 looks like broken down:

That means Ohtani earns more in a single minute than many Americans make in a week.

The real game is bigger than baseball

Playing baseball is just the starting point. The real business happens outside the ballpark — and the better you are, the more valuable your image becomes. Ohtani’s numbers feel almost unreal, but they also serve as a blueprint for players like Tatis who have the talent, charisma, and star power to follow a similar path.

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