Consecutive award since Ortiz for 5 consecutive years from 2003 to 2007
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.
Ohtani has a .273 batting average this season, ranking fourth in the league with 34 homers, 95 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. OPS.875 ranked 5th. Last season, he recorded 46 home runs and 100 RBI, ranking third in the league. He was the first Japanese player to be selected for the award, which began in 1973.
The award is given to a designated hitter with 100 or more at-bats in a season. Astros outfielder Jordan Alvarez is fourth in the league this season with a .306 batting average, third with 37 home runs, and fifth with 97 RBI. Second place was OPS1.019. Although he was also selected in the American League designated hitter category of the Silver Slugger Award, which corresponds to the nine best hitters, Otani exceeded the votes determined by the reporters in charge of each team, broadcast personnel, and public relations team staff. .
Finally, he was selected for 11 crowns, such as being selected as the American League MVP by unanimous votes, but this step was the first crown in the Edgar Martinez Award. The All-MLB Team, finalists in the starting pitcher and designated hitter categories, will be announced on MLB Network on December 5.
(Full Account editorial section)