It’s still incredibly early to be talking about potential MVP candidates in MLB.
However, we have a feeling that Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani will be in the thick of the AL MVP race yet again.
He has been a main actor in the last two awards: he won in 2021 and finished second to Aaron Judge in 2022.
On both occasions, he delivered historically relevant and unique seasons.
We don’t see why things would be different in 2023.
He is off to a fantastic start, he wants to take the Angels to the postseason, and he is playing for his new contract.
He certainly doesn’t lack motivation, and you can be sure about that.
Every time he steps on a baseball field, he is bound to do impressive things.
Just look at his numbers after another dominant start on Tuesday:
“Shohei Ohtani this season: 0.47 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 24 K in 19 IP. Also Shohei Ohtani this season: .300/.404/.575 with 3 HR in 47 PA,” MLB stats guru Sarah Langs tweeted.
Shohei Ohtani this season: 0.47 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 24 K in 19 IP
also Shohei Ohtani this season: .300/.404/.575 with 3 HR in 47 PA
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 12, 2023
Last year, he was a legitimate Cy Young candidate with a 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts.
He also hit 34 home runs and put on a marvelous offensive performance.
This year, he appears to be determined to improve upon both tasks.
A 0.47 ERA is virtually unsustainable for a starter over a full season, but we don’t see why he can’t improve last year’s mark.
And considering he hit 46 home runs in 2021, we know for a fact that he can improve those 34 from last year.
We are continually shocked by Ohtani’s two-way excellence.
He will be paid very handsomely by some team by this time next year.
He figures to be baseball’s first $500 million man, and he deserves every penny.
NEXT:
Shohei Ohtani Is Getting Much-Needed Rest
