Shohei Ohtani will likely win his third MVP award, Aaron Judge his second

NEW YORK – Shohei Ohtani is expected to win his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge is projected to win his second AL award when the Baseball Writers’ Association announces the voting on Thursday.

Ohtani was unanimously named AL MVP 2021 And 2023 He was a two-way star with the Los Angeles Angels, finishing second to Jury. 2022 voting. He did not pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December.

Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. he helped Dodgers to World Series titleWe are playing our last three matches together. torn labrum in left shoulder.

Ohtani would become the first primary DH to win the MVP award. He would join Frank Robinson in 1961 with Cincinnati and 1966 with Baltimore as the only players to win MVP honors in both leagues.

Ohtani has three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three). He will be the 12th player to have it. each).

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte are also among the top three in the NL, while Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto join Judge in the top three in the AL.

Voting was done before the season.

Judge hit .322 while leading the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks. Witt topped the major leagues with a .332 average and hit 32 homers with 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs.

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