Why Shohei Ohtani? 5 Defining Reasons for Baseball Unicorn’s Unanimous MVP Triumph

The 2023 MLB season was the ride of multiple possibilities. The engaging battle for the playoffs was a reason behind it, which only got settled on the last day. Then it almost shaped like a 2022 repeat, only for the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks to alter the scene. As the two new teams made it to the World Series, it was a befitting end, with Texas claiming the big prize for the first time in its history. However, it seems it could not alter one constant that has been there since 2018: Shohei Ohtani‘s domination.

Notably, every off-season begins with award ceremonies acknowledging the outstanding contributions of players, managers, and teams during the season. Given that the season saw multiple different players storm to the big scene, the selection of AL MVP warranted a change. But that has not been the case, with Ohtani winning his second MVP award unanimously. Though the question will be why he won it, there is an answer to why he deserved it.

Shohei Ohtani Wins Al MVP Award Again, Unanimously

In an award ceremony held hours before, they announced Shohei Ohtani as AL MVP. The free agent Los Angeles Angels star won it, unanimously defeating the likes of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien in the race. With this win, he also became the second player in Angels’ history after Mike Trout to have multiple MVPs.

With this, Ohtani also became the first player to win two MVP awards, unanimously adding to rare accolades that make him a special player. But given the two other challengers also had a great season, as they contributed to Texas Rangers’ first World Series title, is the title justified?

The reason that adds to the case is Ohtani’s injury-plagued season, which caused him to lose offensive and defensive strength. Although the Japanese star played with the pain and discomfort, his contribution dipped. It ultimately led to his fall in the Home Run race against Matt Olson and others. While pitching too, Ohtani could not contribute evenly since his injury in August and completely went off the mound in the later stages. It also reflected in the team’s performance, as the Angels again missed the playoffs.

It gives the perception that there were better players than him for this award, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. The thought behind it is their World Series win and their contribution in the postseason for the title. Seager finished the league stage at an average of 0.327 and 33 HRs with 96 RBIs at an OPS of 1.013. He continued this run in the postseason to finish with 18 runs, six crucial home runs, and a World Series MVP trophy.

Meanwhile, his teammate, Marcus, also did well to finish the league stage with an average of 0.276 and 100 RBIs to it a level further in the postseason. The second baseman contributed 12 runs and two HRs, becoming an impact player for the team. Due to this, all counted the two firm challengers and potential winners of the MVP award. But even after that, their effort fell short in the MVP race, with Ohtani claiming the win. Here is the reason he deserved it.

An MVP Contribution That Even the Injuries Could Not Affect

Understandably, it was not a free-flowing season for Japanese wonder. A big reason for this was injuries that hampered the second half of the 2021 MVP. Shohei Ohtani encountered a torn UCL in his pitching arm in August. He later struggled due to a strained right oblique in September, which limited his game time.

It closed two-way phenom a lot. He once looked set to chase the 62 HR record of Aaron Judge but lost the pace after injury. He finished the season with 44 HRs, with not a single HR scored in his last ten appearances. But he still won the MVP. Why? Well, the answer is simple: his undying impact and contribution to the team. Here are the five reasons that consolidate this understanding.

First: Better offensive ROI. Even after missing many games, Ohtani is way ahead in HRs and OPS, and almost matched them on RBIs. With this, one can confirm that he would outshine all if injuries had not affected his play.

Watch this story: Young Shohei Ohtani’s Journey To Elite Hitting Proving His Little League Coach Wrong

Second: His better win above replacement record. Ideally, an MVP is a player who can not be replaced. Ohtani recorded a bWAR of 10 more than both Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. Though it shows how the Angels depend on him, it confirms that he is replaceable and wins the tie.

Third: His pitching abilities. Although Ohtani did better than Corey and Marcus in offense, his pitching abilities add to his MVP status. The two-way phenom claimed 167 strikeouts with an ERA of 3.14 to finish the season with a WAR of 4. Here also, he outshined many pitchers who had more game time or regular on the mound than him.

Fourth: His consistency. Yes, Ohtani had a dip in form, but it was not natural but a forced one. Without injuries, the star player had finished the season with a better record. His presence at the top in the MVP race for three consecutive seasons confirms the same.

Fifth: An inspirational force that everyone looks up to. There are very few players who have this ability to inspire others. Shohei Ohtani is one of them. Not only the teammates but also the rivals and all managers accept this. It put him in a different league from the rest. Although this factor may not impact the MVP race entirely, it does impact unanimity. With Ohtani, there is no dearth of it, which gives his name an extra boost in MVP and makes him a deserving MVP winner.

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