Shohei Ohtani MVP Chances Ruined as Aaron Judge Joins Him in Exclusive Club Despite Lengthy Absence

Baseball is nothing if not for its crazy statistics. With the advent of advanced stats, many have criticized the game’s overreliance on numbers. But sometimes, stat lines throw up a surprise that every fan can enjoy. And in a coincidence that can only be described as freaky, two modern greats have joined an exclusive club.

The real contenders are beginning to emerge with the season getting closer to the 100-game mark for nearly every team. With the AL East as competitive as it is, this season is close as ever. And thinning the line ever closer are two of the sport’s greats.

MLB’s Stars Emerge With Identical Stat-Line

Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are likely the game’s strongest faces. With the Pinstripes’ star garnering praise for his HomeRun king crown in 2022, the two-way phenom has been making waves of his own as he closes in on the hitting record in 2023. And perhaps fittingly, the two appear to be the most feared presences at home plate.

According to Codify Baseball, Aaron Judge has become only the second hitter in Major League Baseball this season to be walked intentionally with no runners on base. The other hitter? Shohei Ohtani. The question that remains is will this muck up the MVP conversation for this season?

While Ohtani has by and large been healthy for the season so far, Judge has missed a whole chunk of time. The superstar spent a big part of the season on the IL after injuring his toe, as the Yankees took on the LA Dodgers in early June. But the two are locked into a race for clearing the park, with none appearing to relent their pace in their bid for the post-season.

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Aaron Judge – Spoilsport to Shohei 2023 Season?

The two hitters are undoubtedly the most feared match-ups for pitchers in Major League Baseball right now and there is little keeping the two apart. And the Yankees’ hitter’s reputation seems to precede him.

Shohei Ohtani is gearing up for the story of the off-season before it has even begun. With the two-way star entering free agency in 2024, Ohtani’s value has been a topic of discussion amongst fans for a long time, and even the subject of several teams’ curiosity. The fans too joined in the discussion. In fact, some fans are even marking out the Pinstripes as favorites to land the star in the off-season.

Ohtani’s next contract will probably be a bumper deal the likes of which baseball has not seen before. And that value will certainly see a further boost if the star lands an MVP this season. With the two-way phenom on course to land major laurels this year, could the reigning AL MVP play spoilsport?

But some fans were unrelenting. Still trusting in the right-hander to win the individual crown this season.

And what if the two most valuable players in baseball end up in the Bronx next season? What can we then expect from the New York Yankees in 2024?

Read More: ”Don’t Think the World Knows”- Renowned MLB Manager Dusty Baker Explains What Makes 2022 MVP Aaron Judge an Un-Pitchable Player