Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani was named one of three finalists for the American League MVP Award on Monday as announced by Major League Baseball.
If he gets more votes than Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager and Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien, it will be Ohtani’s second MVP honor in three seasons. The winner will be announced on Nov. 16.
File photo shows Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels hitting his 27th home run of the season on June 27, 2023, in a game against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Kyodo)
Ohtani led the AL with 44 home runs and had a 10-5 record as a pitcher, making him the first player in major league history to have back-to-back seasons with at least 10 wins and 10 home runs.
His season was cut short in September due to elbow and side injuries. Ohtani had surgery on the ligament tear in his pitching elbow on Sept. 19.
Corey Seager of the Texas Rangers hits a solo home run during the first inning of Game 7 of MLB’s American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Oct. 23, 2023. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Seager batted .327, the second-highest average in the league, with 33 home runs and 96 RBIs, while Semien hit 29 homers and drove in 100 runs.
The three finalists for the National League MVP Award are Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts and Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves steals second base during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park in Atlanta on Sept. 27, 2023. He became the first player in MLB history to record 40 homers and 70 stolen bases in a single season. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Among other Japanese players, New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga was named a finalist for the NL Rookie of the Year Award, along with Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll and Dodgers outfielder James Outman.
Senga went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts, striking out 202 over 166-1/3 innings. Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida was not named a finalist for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
