There is no question that Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani is a generational talent. Yet even that phrase does not fully encapsulate the player Ohtani has become.
The 2023 season is a prime example. Ohtani is putting together another impressive season with the bat, further establishing himself as an integral piece of the Angels’ lineup. He has also continued to show that he is one of the better pitchers in the game, a the ace that the Angels have needed at the top of their rotation.
Health only thing keeping Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani from second MVP
While we are just approaching the halfway point of the regular season, Ohtani appears to have the AL MVP award wrapped up. He leads the majors in homers, RBI, slugging percentage, OPS, bWAR, and total bases. Ohtani is also the only hitter to have over 20 homers while stealing over ten bases thus far in 2023. That production alone would be enough to warrant MVP votes, especially with the Angels currently holding a wild card berth.
Then there is the pitching side. Ohtani also has the fewest hits per nine innings allowed in the majors while leading the AL in strikeouts per nine. He is in the top ten in the league in strikeouts, WHiP, and ERA. It is likely that he will receive Cy Young support as well, and may have a better showing than his fourth place finish in 2022.
Ohtani’s performance on both sides of the ball has been impressive. He is already a perennial MVP candidate due to his ability to dominate on the mound and in the batter’s box. As long as he is healthy, Ohtani will be in the conversation for the MVP. This year, it will not be close.
Shohei Ohtani is a major factor as to why the Los Angeles Angels are currently a playoff team. He already has the AL MVP award locked up.
Even if he’s average in both hitting and pitching categories for the rest of the season, I agree with you. But I think he should have been MVP last year even with Judge hitting all those homers. What if Trout breaks out and hits 60+ homers? Or what if Yandy Diaz leads the league in OPS and takes the Rays to the playoffs while Ohtani goes down to an injury and the Angels fade down the stretch? Isn’t it still just a bit too early?