Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani – the eternal AL rivalry. The two stars have dominated Major League Baseball since their arrival, always in fierce competition with each other. While the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels have lost steam in the last few years, their superhuman players have continued the fight.

Both Judge and Ohtani took a season or two to adjust to the majors. But once their engines started running, neither player stopped their rampage over the league, ending in an AL MVP award. Each now with armed one of them, 2023 begs the question – who will it be? If Shotime had the general favor, why did the Yankees captain receive it last year?

Was Shohei Ohtani Snubbed in 2022?

Finally bringing the two-way experiment to life in 2021, the AL MVP was unquestionably Shohei Ohtani’s back then. But 2022 saw Aaron Judge hit more home runs than anyone in the American League history. While the Japanese sensation continued his hitting prowess, he improved even more as a pitcher. While his dominance was undoubted, the Yankees slugger broke a major record.

That’s what it took for anyone to beat Ohtani, but ultimately, he was snubbed. Fans were divided on the victory, and as Angels manager Phil Nevin put it, “He wasn’t happy about not winning the MVP, I can tell you that, but he wants to win, first and foremost.” 

Shohei Ohtani Breaks Records With His Two-Way Play

Pitching like a Cy Young award winner, Ohtani’s variation of balls like the fastball, curveball, slider, or even cutter causes significant damage. While his most famous pitch is probably the sweeper, Ohtani’s splitter is as dangerous. 2023 has seen multiple games with 10+ strikeouts and at multiple points in the season, the two-way phenomenon was at the top of the league in strikeout rate, WAR, and OPS+.

READ MORE – Is Shohei Ohtani a Better Hitter or Pitcher? Everything to Know About His Two-Way Abilities

It would be outstanding but the fact that Ohtani is a position player makes it mindblowing. Before injuries sidelined him, the Angels player led not just the AL but MLB in home runs for weeks.

Furthermore, Ohtani has achieved the 20-40 milestone in his second MLB season. Only Alex Rodriguez (four) and Barry Bonds (three) boast more multiple seasons with 40 home runs and 20 bases stolen. Is it any wonder Shohei Ohtani has earned the nickname ‘Shotime?’

Injury Troubles Strike Aaron Judge in 2023

Moving on to the other coast, Aaron Judge has not been free of injuries either. While Ohtani was affected near the end, a brutal collision struck down the Yankees captain in June. The previous month, the Yankees outfielder had to miss some time with a hip strain but the Dodger Stadium fiasco pulled him out for two months. Nevertheless, with the superhuman power that Judge clearly possesses, he made a comeback. But in the meantime, Shohei Ohtani was miles ahead, difficult to catch up to.

Ohtani Builds Solid MVP Case With Consistent Play and Availability

After a Tommy John surgery in 2018, baseball was a bit more difficult than before. Ohtani was getting used to the majors, learning to deal with injuries, and unable to unleash his full talents. But once 2021 arrived, the unicorn earned unanimous AL MVP votes and he hasn’t looked back since. 2022 was a blip in the timeline but 2023 has seen his grit to play, and most importantly, win.

Even when his hand cramped with an injury in his elbow, Ohtani pitched. When a right oblique strain assaulted him, the hitter took BP before every Angels game, determined to at least try to be the DH. Fans were witness to this consistent play throughout the season. Because every time Ohtani took to the mound or stood on the plate, he mostly broke records. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said of his team.

Judge and Ohtani Were in the Same Boat With Unreliable Teammates

Time and again, fans are reminded that a team must work together to achieve top success. Just take a look at the Baltimore Orioles this season. Each and every single player, with perhaps the exception of Aaron Hicks, has been phenomenal to watch. The same cannot be said of the Los Angeles Angels, a historically powerless team.

Even the storied New York Yankees have put fans through a rollercoaster of success and decline. Many have argued that Judge and Ohtani should change allegiances as relying solely on their talents can only propel the team to a certain extent.

Judge Makes Late Home Run Chase to Catch Ohtani

Does Aaron Judge Still Stand a Chance to Catch Up to Shohei Ohtani Despite Missing So Many Games?

When Aaron Judge went on the IL for an undefined amount of time, New Yorkers thought the Yankees were done for the year. Miraculously, he came back and proved exactly why so many pinned their hopes on his shoulders. The captain may not be back at full power but even his 60% will do enough damage.

Unfortunately, many think Shohei Ohtani is already too far ahead in the race. Had Judge not missed two months, he could have given his AL rival a run for his money. But some are of the opinion that for the first time in MLB history, a player may unanimously win the MVP award for the second time in their career.

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