Ohtani Shohei (29‧LA Angels) has been on a winning streak since making the absurd combination of pitching and hitting a reality. He became the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2021, and last year he also improved further as a pitcher. He started better this year than last year.
As of the 13th (Korean time), Ohtani started 3 games as a pitcher and threw 19 innings, recording 2 wins and an average ERA of 0.47. He has a batting average of 0.300, 3 homers, 8 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.979 in 11 games as a hitter. Ohtani’s highest OPS season was 0.964 in 2021, when he won MVP. His best earned run average as a pitcher was 2.33 last year. Although it is early in the season, the prospect of creating a personal best season is by no means an exaggeration.
If so, how many titles can Ohtani win this year? On the 14th (Korean time), columnist Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, the largest sports network in the United States, presented a somewhat shocking, unprecedented prospect. Gonzalez drew great attention by predicting that “Ohtani will sweep all the Cy Young Award, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, and even MVP.”
“I’m going to tell the story confidently without looking up,” said Gonzalez. “It’s a feat I’ve never done before.” There have been times when pitchers who have won the Cy Young Award have been silver sluggers or added MVP in different seasons, but no player has achieved this simultaneously in one season, even in the 100-year history of the major leagues. However, Gonzalez said it was possible with Ohtani.
It sounds crazy, but González’s story is compelling. “Ohtani has already won the Silver Slugger in 2021,” Gonzalez said. Considering that he has done the above, he will be able to reach Cy Young as well. He continues to evolve as a pitcher.”
The hardest thing is the Gold Glove. “It may actually be the hardest part,” Gonzalez said. “It’s really hard to decipher pitchers’ abilities because defensive opportunities at that position are rare,” but “Ohtani is definitely capable here, too,” Gonzalez said. In fact, there are many evaluations that Ohtani’s defense is above average, if not the best. He is a very athletic player, so if he shows some impactful defense, he has a chance to win the vote of the voters.
“If he wins all three titles,안전놀이터 he’ll be unanimously awarded MVP, and he could be signed for $1 billion or something like that,” Gonzalez said. It is predicted that the ransom price will soar as much as it has achieved an unprecedented and possibly never-before-seen great feat.
Of course, it’s possible that Ohtani won’t be able to win all four titles. Álvarez has been showing his strong offense from the beginning of the season. He is also flooded with Cy Young competitors, led by Jacob deGrom (Texas) and Dylan Seaze (Chicago White Sox). Ohtani has never been seriously discussed as a Gold Glove candidate. However, only one player who can do this simultaneously is Ohtani. Even if it’s not this year, it’s a challenge worth taking on in the next two to three years when your physical abilities are at their peak.