Ohtani Shohei (29, LA Angels) was selected as the most influential MVP and Cy Young Award candidate in the American League this season.
On the 30th (Korean time), MLB.com, the official website of the Major League Baseball (MLB), predicted potential winners in major awards categories such as MVP, Cy Young Award, and Rookie of the Year in both leagues in the 2023 season through a vote of 87 experts. 카지노사이트
Ohtani is expected to recapture the American League MVP in two years following 2021.
At the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Ohtani, who led Japan to the championship by batting and winning the tournament MVP, finished the demonstration game with a batting average of 0.455, an on-base percentage of 0.538, and a slugging percentage of 0.636. He also appeared in one game as a pitcher, pitching 2⅓ scoreless innings.
MLB.com said, “If it weren’t for the historic season of Aaron Judge (New York Yankees), Ohtani had already won the MVP last year and would have had a chance to win three consecutive awards this year.” Over two seasons, he was an elite slugger (80 home runs, 151 OPS+) and an ace pitcher (156 ERA+, 11.4 K/9), recording a 9+ WAR each year.”
He added, “We may not have seen Ohtani’s prime yet. Other players have also received AL MVP votes, but Ohtani has the overwhelming support.”
In addition, Ohtani was also mentioned as a potential candidate for the American League Cy Young Award.
The media said, “If the expert predictions come true, Ohtani will become the 12th player to win the MVP and Cy Young Award simultaneously in the same season. Ohtani made great progress last season, recording a 2.33 ERA, 219 strikeouts, and a 1.01 WHIP in 166 innings. In particular, his performance with a 1.67 ERA in his last 19 starts earned him fourth place in the Cy Young Young voting,” he said, predicting that his performance last season will continue this year.
Meanwhile, Juan Soto, a teammate of Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres), was selected as the National League MVP candidate, and Corbin Burns of the Milwaukee Brewers was expected to win the National League Cy Young Award.
Gunner Henderson (Baltimore Orioles) was the American League Rookie of the Year, and Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks) was the National League Rookie of the Year.
In the manager of the year category, John Schneider (Toronto Blue Jays) and Bob Melvin (San Diego) were expected to win the award.