New York – Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani added another honor to his collection on Thursday, winning his first Silver Slugger Award as designated hitter.
The 27-year-old joins Ichiro Suzuki as the only Japanese players to win a Silver Slugger. Ichiro, the former Seattle Mariners outfielder, is a three-time recipient of the award, having won in 2001, 2007 and 2009.
The Silver Slugger, voted on by MLB managers and coaches, rewards the best offensive player at each position in each league. Japan’s professional baseball equivalent is the Best Nine Award and Ohtani won at designated hitter in 2016.
Ohtani, considered the favorite for the American League MVP award, which will be announced next week, is the first Angels player to win a Silver Slugger at designated hitter, and the team’s first non-outfielder to win since third baseman Troy Glaus in 2001.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals and Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres are among the other notable winners of the Silver Slugger.
Ohtani hit .257 with 46 homers, 100 RBIs, 103 runs, 26 steals and a .965 OPS in 155 games in 2021.
He has already won the Players’ Choice Award as MLB Player of the Year and AL Outstanding Player, voted by major league players. Baseball Digest, Baseball America and Sporting News each elected Ohtani as their Player of the Year. He also won the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award.
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
PHOTO GALLERY (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
KEYWORDS
Source : Baseball – The Japan Times