Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani entered the All-Star break with a league-leading 32 home runs.
He hit two more in the first weekend of the second half, and appears determined to establish a new career-best in the stat.
In fact, as pointed out by MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the two-way event has already matched its total from last year.
“Shohei Ohtani has hit the same number of homers this year (34) as he did last year. Nightengale tweeted, “The highest score of his career is 46. He is at a speed of 59.
Shohei Ohtani has hit the same number of homers this year (34) as he did last year.
His career high is 46.
He is at a pace of 59 runs.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) 17 July 2023
This is an incredible power move.
If he picks up his pace a bit, he has a chance to match or surpass Aaron Judge’s 62 home runs last year.
It would be unbelievable.
As of Monday afternoon, the 2021 AL MVP is hitting .301/.386/.665 with 34 round-trippers, 67 runs scored, 73 RBI and even 11 stolen bases.
His OPS is an impressive 1.051, and it looks like he’s headed for his second career AL MVP award.
There is no one in the junior circuit who can even come close to what he has done as he has also been the Angels’ ace.
You can say that even if he is included in the National League team, he will be a strong contender to win the MVP award in the American League.
His contribution has been huge and significant enough to lose the award this time.
In the process, he’s earned himself a lot of money: He’ll be a free agent after the year and is poised to sign the biggest contract in the history of professional sports.
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Analyst discusses ‘lose-lose’ situation for Angels with Shohei Ohtani