"He could be the first" - Ken Rosenthal believes Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani could become first ever DH to win MLB MVP award
Shohei Ohtani is missing one key element in his arsenal this season, his pitching. Yet the LA Dodgers superstar finds himself among the names that are competing for the National League MVP award. If he can achieve it, he will become the first designated hitter to win the coveted award purely on offensive prowess.
The two times that Shohei Ohtani has won the MVP award in 2021 and 2023 for the LA Angels have been because of his two-way prowess. As a pitcher, Ohtani contributed as much as any other position player on the field. When he is not pitching, he has featured as the team's designated hitter.
After suffering a major oblique strain and subsequent UCL surgery in September of last year, Ohtani was ruled out of pitching entirely for the 2024 season. Even then, he has contributed on the plate for the Angels, as he leads the MLB in average and the National League in home runs, OPS and hits.
With such a distinction, he has become one of the primary candidates to win the biggest individual award in his debut season in the National League, the MVP. Although during voting both the offensive and defensive abilities are considered. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal feels that if Ohtani can keep up his form, then he might become the first DH to win the award.
"It is possible if he puts himself out there so much in the National League that there is no other choice," Rosenthal said. "Offensively, if he can separate himself from the rest of the league, then that would be a reason why he could be the first."
Shohei Ohtani's franchise record-breaking RBI streak
Shohei Ohtani has been unstoppable since he moved up to the leadoff spot in the Dodgers lineup. After a torrid start to June, the $700 million superstar has come roaring back, setting a new Dodgers record for most consecutive RBI games.
His recent RBI came in the game against the Chicago White Sox when he hit a leadoff home run against White Sox starter Erick Fedde for a 437-foot bomb. LA won 4-0 on the night. After an off day on Thursday, they will face divisional rivals San Francisco Giants over the weekend.