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Shohei Ohtani Becomes First Four-Year Jersey-Sales Leader in MLB History
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Ohtani Sets Record in MLB Jersey Sales
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has become the first player ever to finish four consecutive seasons at the top of Major League Baseball’s jersey-sales list. The league has tracked jersey sales on Fanatics’ sites, including MLBShop.com, since the 2010 season, and Ohtani’s four-year streak marks an unprecedented achievement.
Ranking of Top Jersey Sellers in 2026
The 2026 year-end rankings place Ohtani first, followed by New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge in second place for the second straight season. Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong rose to third after ending the prior year in 16th. Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. holds fourth, with San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. fifth. Also in the top ten are Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman (sixth), Bryce Harper (seventh), Mookie Betts (eighth), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (ninth). New York Mets’ Juan Soto rounds out the top ten. Japanese players Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami (20th) form the first trio of Japanese athletes to appear in the top-20 list.
Context: Merchandise Trends and International Appeal
The rankings reflect a broader shift toward global marketability in baseball. Ohtani’s status as a two-way star and “international phenomenon” has driven sustained fan interest, while the presence of multiple Japanese players underscores MLB’s expanding overseas fan base. The list, compiled from sales on Fanatics platforms, captures consumer behavior as the regular season draws to a close.
Official Comment from MLB and Players’ Association
MLB and the players’-association affiliate MLB Players, Inc. The organizations noted that the data, gathered since opening day each season, provides a reliable gauge of player popularity.
Implications for Player Marketability
Ohtani’s record-setting sales streak enhances his leverage in endorsement negotiations and sets a benchmark for future athletes seeking to translate on-field performance into merchandise revenue. The prominence of other high-profile players in the top-20 suggests that strong on-field performance, combined with personal branding, continues to drive fan purchases across the league.