While the entire baseball world focuses on Aaron Judge and his chase for the AL single-season record for home runs, Shohei Ohtani continues to amaze everybody.
On the heels of his MVP season a year ago, the Los Angeles Angels ace and slugger has continued that trend.
This season has been no exception.
At the plate, he’s hit 34 home runs, driven in 94, stolen 11 bases, and hit for a .275/.358/.529 slash line.
On the mound, he’s gone 15-8 with a 2.35 ERA, 213 strikeouts, and just 43 walks in 161 innings pitched.
He’s also posted a 9.3 fWAR, second only to Judge.
While Judge might be the one to take home the MVP, Ohtani has certainly made a compelling case to repeat.
Shohei Ohtani, with 6 games left:
15-8, 2.35 ERA, 213 SO, 43 BB, 161 IP
.275/.358/.529, 34 HR, 94 RBI, 11 SB
fWAR: 9.3, second only to Aaron Judge.
MVP or not, he had arguably the most uniquely impressive baseball season ever in 2021 and has taken it to another level in ‘22.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) September 30, 2022
Shotime
Ohtani continues to amaze everybody around the baseball world with his unique ability to hit and pitch at a high level.
It’s one of the main reasons that he still has some life in the race for the AL MVP Award.
Judge may be the favorite, but Ohtani simply cannot be counted out thanks to what he has been able to do on both sides of the ball.
His two-way abilities make him one of, if not the most dynamic player in all of baseball and a perennial candidate for the MVP Award.
There isn’t anything that Ohtani can’t do.
It’s why they call him “Shotime.”
It’s what makes him so fun to watch.
The Angels may be out of contention already, but even so, Ohtani has been one of the major bright spots for the Halos in what has been a season full of disappointment.
He’s carried the Angels on his back with his unique two-way abilities and it’s one of the major reasons he generates so much excitement when he steps out onto the field.
NEXT: Shohei Ohtani Is Making A Late MVP Statement