‘Punching Out Everybody in Every Single Game’- MLB Analyst Believes Shohei Ohtani Is Still the AL MVP After His ‘Night in and Night Out’ Pitching Masterclass

Shohei Ohtani just makes baseball a beautiful game. Baseball is blessed to have such an outstanding player roaring in the ballparks. Although Ohtani plays for the LA Angels in the American League, the two-way phenom is a fan favorite in the entire MLB.

When Ohtani won the American League MVP in the 2021 season, many people referred to him as a one-season-wonder. But Ohtani is a rare breed. The Japanese slugger has even upped his game from the last season. And once again, he has been one of the top performers this season.

Recently, ace MLB analyst Ben Verlander weighed his opinion on what makes Shohei Ohtani the best MLB player. Ever since his MLB debut, Ohtani has been probably the best baseball player. His two-way playing style is his biggest strength. Ohtani can be the best pitcher and best hitter in the same game, something that is near-impossible to do for any other baseball player.

Is Shohei Ohtani the real MVP in the American League?

Had Ohtani been playing for the heavyweights like the New York Yankees, LA Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and even the Houston Astros, him being the best MLB player would not have been even a debate. But it is a pity that the reigning AL MVP plays for the Angels, who are going through a rough phase.

Talking about Ohtani’s performance this season, Verlander has already declared him the 2022 AL MVP. And why not? The Angels star has collected over 100 strikeouts from the mound, while he also has 18 home runs from the plate in 2022.

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“What an incredible month of June Shohei Ohtani just had! He did it on the pitching side. He did it on the hitting side. And he is in my opinion, the AL MVP… His pitching in the month of June was phenomenal,” Verlander said via his podcast. “He was one of the best pitchers in all of baseball in June. Not just in the American League, but in all of Major League Baseball…”

Verlander on Ohtani’s scoreless streak

Verlander also discussed Ohtani’s red-hot form in the last month. Notably, the Angels’ two-way star is having an incredible run from the mound. Ohtani has been scoreless in the last 21.2 innings he has pitched.

“He is in the midst of a consecutive scoreless innings streak. And he is just punching out everybody in every single game…,” Verlander added. “Shohei has been incredible on the mound, what he has continually done night in and night out since that start in New York.”

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Given his performances, do you think Shohei Ohtani should be the American League MVP this season? Let us know in the comment box.