Ohtani joined the Dodgers on a 10-year $700m (£527m) contract – the biggest deal in the sport’s history – in December after leaving the Los Angeles Angels.

It made him one of the highest-earning athletes in the world.

MLB ambassador and former World Series winner Chase Utley told BBC Sport Ohtani is “truly one of a kind”.

“To do it in his first year in a Dodgers uniform is pretty special. He has separated himself – I don’t think there is a question – as the best [current] player in all of baseball,” Utley said.

“If he continues this pace throughout the course of his contract he will go down as the best player to ever play the game. You couldn’t have dreamed of a season like that.

“He can really do it all. You don’t see a player who has the ability to hit the ball over the fence but also steal that many bases.

“He is the first to do it and I can’t imagine many are going to do it any time soon – I’m not sure I see it happening ever, to be honest.”

Ohtani has played 866 MLB games, the most among all active players to have never played in the post-season until now, after the Dodgers made the play-offs for a 12th straight year.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said: “While Shohei Ohtani has been a groundbreaking player for many years, his latest feat as the first 50-50 player in the history of Major League Baseball reflects not just his amazing power-and-speed talent, but his character, his drive, and his commitment to all-around excellence.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate Shohei on this remarkable achievement. We are proud that he continues to take our game to new heights.”

BBC Sport will have live coverage of Sunday’s game between the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers, a crucial game in the play-off race, on BBC iPlayer, plus the BBC Sport website and app, from 18:30 BST, with coverage beginning on the Red Button at 19:30.