Angels News: Shohei Ohtani Would Make Incredible History if He Wins AL MVP Award

Ohtani making history? What else is new?

While the 2023 season didn’t go the way that anyone in the Los Angeles Angels organization had hoped, the team will still likely see a major award coming their way. Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to win the American League MVP award, despite missing the last few weeks of the regular season.

He missed the last 25 games of the year while dealing with multiple injuries, but his performance prior was something out of a storybook. Assuming he wins the award, he would make history as the previous record for most missed games to end an MVP season was 19, set by teammate Mike Trout in 2019.

Ohtani winning the award wouldn’t feel right without him making even more history than he already has. He finished the season batting .304 with 44 home runs and 95 runs batted in. But he was also good on the mound as well, posting an ERA of 3.14 over 23 games. Ohtani struck out 167 batters over 132 innings pitched also.

His incredible ability to excel both at the plate and on the mound is unlike anything we have ever seen. He is the biggest show in baseball, and rightfully so. The modern-day Babe Ruth put together a season for the ages, and it’s unfortunate that it was cut short due to injury.

And because of a torn UCL that he suffered, we won’t get to see him on the mound until 2025 in all likelihood. But he should be ready to go as a hitter in 2024 for whatever team he signs with this offseason.

His free agency will likely also be unlike anything we have seen in a long time, mimicking what happened with NBA star LeBron James back in 2010. Teams are going to be lining up for his services, even with the UCL tear.

Many believe that he will leave the Angels organization in search of a consistent winning franchise. Since he joined the MLB, Ohtani has yet to reach the postseason with the Angels. The best player in baseball deserves better, and he will get a say in his future this offseason.