The Los Angeles Angels’ 2023 season did not proceed as planned. Despite an all-out effort, the Los Angeles Angels failed to make the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, and they now face huge problems this offseason, including the free agency of two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani was likely the Angels’ only bright spot this season, posting another historic season before being sidelined by UCL and oblique problems. In 2023, he was likely the finest hitter in the game while also enjoying an outstanding season on the mound, basically flipping the type of top productivity he had in 2022.
That performance has earned him a berth as one of three American League MVP candidates. Ohtani earned the AL MVP award unanimously in 2021, and while that effort may not be replicated in 2023 due to his missing games, he is largely regarded as the favorite to win his second MVP trophy.
Ohtani hit.304/.412/.654 with a 1.066 OPS in 135 plate appearances. His on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS were all AL highs, while the last two were Major League highs. His 184 OPS+ was the highest in baseball, indicating that his at-bat performance was 84% better than that of a replacement-level player.
He wasn’t as dominant on the mound, but he still had a season to be proud of before undergoing his second Tommy John surgery. Ohtani finished with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.061 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched over 23 starts. He finished with a greater OPS at the plate than WHIP on the mound for the first time in his career.
He led the AL with 44 home runs, two short of his career high set in 2021.
Ohtani is up for the award with two other Texas Rangers: shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien. The winners will be announced on November 16.
Complete list of award finalistsAL MVP
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei OhtaniTexas Rangers’ Corey SeagerTexas Rangers’ Marcus Semien
NL MVP
Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acua Jr.Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie BettsThe Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman
AL Cy Young Award
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit ColeToronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin GausmanMinnesota Twins’ Sonny Gray
NL Cy Young Award
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Zac GallenSan Diego Padres’ Blake SnellSan Francisco Giants’ Logan Webb
Manager of the Year in AL
Texas Rangers manager Bruce BochyTampa Bay Rays’ Kevin CashBaltimore Orioles, Brandon Hyde
Manager of the Year in the Netherlands
Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig CounsellMiami Marlins manager Skip SchumakerAtlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker
Rookie of the Year in the American League
Cleveland Guardians’ Tanner BibeeBoston Red Sox’s Triston CasasBaltimore Orioles pitcher Gunnar Henderson
Rookie of the Year in the National League
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin CarrollLos Angeles Dodgers’ James OutmanKodai Senga of the New York Mets
