Rival Alvarez made 56 appearances in left field and 77 at DH.
Major League Baseball (MLB) announced on the 28th (29th Japan time) that Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani has been selected for the “Edgar Martinez Award”, given to the designated hitter who played the best of the year, for the second year in a row. He is the first player to win the award consecutively since David Ortiz (Red Sox), who won the award five years in a row between 2003 and 2007.
A surprising selection. Ohtani has played in 153 games this season, posting a .273 batting average with 34 home runs and 95 RBI. He had a .356 on-base percentage and a .519 slugging percentage with an .875 OPS, but trailed Astros outfielder Jordan Alvarez, who had a .306 average, 37 homers, 97 RBIs and a 1.019 OPS for the season.
The one player selected in the designated hitter category for the Silver Slugger Award tends to win the award, and Alvarez, who won the Silver Slugger Award, was expected to win. This award is decided by votes from reporters in charge of each team, broadcasters, and team PR staff. Then why did Otani receive the award? From the MLB statement, it appears that only the designated hitter’s performance was evaluated.
“Among designated hitters with 100 or more at-bats, Ohtani has hits (159), runs scored (90), bases (302), triples (6), homers (34), RBIs (95), and walks (72). ).) has left the best results.”
“Ohtani won the 2021 American League MVP award unanimously, but finished second in this year’s MVP voting, tying Troy Gross’ team record for most home runs in a season with six in 2000.”
“He hit his 100th home run in the majors on May 14. His 127th homer in the majors is second only to Hideki Matsui, who has 175.”
“The Japanese native from Oshu hit a career-high eight RBIs, including two home runs, in a June 21 game against the Royals, the most RBIs in a single game by a Japanese player. streak.”
Alvarez has also appeared in 56 games as a left fielder this season. As a designated hitter, he has played in 77 games with a .299 batting average, 80 hits, 19 home runs, and 52 RBI. Ohtani appears to have been praised by voters for his “designated hitter only” record.
(Full Account editorial section)
