Overview
- Shohei Ohtani was voted the majors’ best designated hitter on Thursday, making him the only player besides David Ortiz to win the award three years in a row.
- Ohtani won the Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award after hitting .304 with an AL-high 44 homers, 96 RBIs, eight triples and 20 stolen bases for the Los Angeles Angels.
- The two-way star was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts on the mound, striking out 167 and walking 55 in 132 innings before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Aug. 23.
- Ohtani became the first two-time unanimous MVP, winning the AL honor in 2021 and this year.
- Ohtani and J.D. Martinez became free agents after the World Series.