Los Angeles star Shohei Ohtani is showing the same level as he did when he won the American League MVP award last season, both as a hitter and as a pitcher.
As it turns out, he’s already an early favorite to repeat in 2022.
Fox Bet Live tweeted, “MLB season is in full swing, Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to be named American League MVP.
MLB season in full swing, Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to be named American League MVP
(Disagreement through this Foxbet // @MLBONFOX ) pic.twitter.com/GSyUwLOKkT
– FoxBetLive (OFOXBetLive) May 17, 2022
According to the picture, Ohtani’s teammate Mike Trout, who is also off to a strong start, has the second best chance of winning the award at the end of the year.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Aaron Judge, Jose Ramirez, Byron Buxton, Wonder Franco, Luis Roberts, Gender Bogarts and Jordan Alvarez are in third to tenth place respectively.
Ohtani has already begun to separate from the pack
Of course, this is only a preliminary practice, but all those players are already leaving their mark on their respective teams.
Although no one left a bigger mark than Ohtani.
As a pitcher, he is better than 2021, if it is possible.
In 32.1 innings, his ERA has come down to a great 2.78 and he has struck out 46 enemies.
But he is also a top slugger.
This year, Ohtani is cutting .257 / .317 / .473 for eight home runs and 27 runs and RBI.
He started getting a notch after a slow start and could soon start to be like his 2021 line of .257 / .372 / .592.
The Angels have surprised more than a few people with their game, but in the same lineup every day with Ohtani and Trout, it really shouldn’t be so shocking.
These two men will probably finish in 2022 among the five most valuable players in the American League.