Angels News: New Shohei Ohtani Feat Points Him in Direction of 2nd Career AL MVP

Let's be honest: Are we surprised?

Halfway through the 2023 MLB season, and the Shohei Ohtani show is just getting started as the Major's home run leader is on pace to acquire his second MVP award, according to historical statistics. 

Shohei Ohtani is the 6th player in AL/NL history to record 90 hits, 25 HR and 10 stolen bases through the month of June.

Of the previous 5 players, 3 went on to win MVP that season. pic.twitter.com/LpguSLNP1J

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 27, 2023

According to ESPN's Stats and Info department, Ohtani is the 6th player in Baseball history to record 90 hits, 25 home runs, and 10 stolen bases through the month of June. Of the previous five players that have completed this feat, three went on to win the MVP award in their respective leagues. 

If you haven't been watching Ohtani this season, then now is the time to start. He is debatably one of the greatest all-around ballplayers of all time, and at 28 years old, he still has plenty of baseball life left. 

And, of course, the man can hit dingers in every park he plays at, but his efforts at the plate only speak for half of his game. 

With a 3.13 ERA, Shohei Ohtani has 117 strikeouts in nine starts this year, and out of those 117 K's, 12 of them came against the Dodgers in a game where they lost 2-0. 

26 home runs
62 RBI
1.010 OPS

Shohei Ohtani leads all of baseball in each category. pic.twitter.com/7mDTv2aFhB

— MLB (@MLB) June 27, 2023

I believe it is safe to say that baseball is much more fun to watch, not only when Ohtani is playing but when the Angels are playing good as well. 

Having the two best players in baseball seems to not be good enough for the Halos, as they are five games back from first in the AL West. 

There's no doubt that the World Baseball Classic winner is on the watchlist for AL MVP, but will he and the Angels see some playing time in October? 

That probably seems more of a priority than winning some individual accolades.