Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 19: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels look on from the dugout before the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 19: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels look on from the dugout before the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
With 62 home runs, a $230 million worth bet, and a broken American League record of 61 years ago, Aaron Judge carried the New York Yankees to the ALCS. Despite their eventual humiliating loss to the Astros, there was never any question about Judge leading the race of the American League MVP race. However, on the other hand, running up to him was a two-way wonder Shohei Ohtani, who smashed 34 homers at 0.273, with 219 strikeouts in 28 games started at 2.33.
The MVP throne, which was held by Shohei Ohtani in 2021, was now handed over to the future Pinstripes leader, Aaron Judge, after a career-defining season. But now, with Shotime approaching free agency, and Judge having to prove his $360 million worth, who will emerge victorious in 2023?
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Seemingly, Shohei Ohtani stands a better chance to clinch the AL MVP in 2023
John Ewing from BetMGM strongly believes in the Japanese wonder boy’s chances over Aaron Judge. And significantly over any other player in the league. According to his tweet titled “Odds to win AL MVP,” he mentioned Ohtani at the top of the list, with Judge, Mike Trout, Julio Rodriguez, Yordan Alvarez, etc. following.
Odds to win AL MVP at @BetMGM
Shohei Ohtani +200
Aaron Judge +500
Mike Trout +650
Julio Rodriguez +800
Yordan Alvarez +1100
Valdimir Guerrero Jr. +1200
Jose Ramirez +1600
All other players +2000 or longer oddsHighest Ticket%: Guerrero Jr. 13.0%
Highest Handle%: Ohtani 22.3% pic.twitter.com/PiWti9tS3x— John Ewing 🦁 (@johnewing) March 27, 2023
According to the odds, Ohtani stood at +200, while Judge was at +500. Evidently, per Ewing, there should be a clear winner this season.
Read More: “We Don’t Appreciate the Miracle”: MLB Analyst Settles Aaron Judge vs Shohei Ohtani Al MVP Debate
For Sho, he has every reason to come back strong after the 2022 snub, which evidently hurt him a lot, as stated by Phil Nevin. Nevid said, “I know he’s determined to have an even better year from last year. He wasn’t happy about not winning the MVP, I can tell you that.”
Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 03: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 at Yankee Stadium on October 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Ohtani too didn’t feel too good about missing out and opened up about his changed mindset post-Judge receiving the award. He said, “Me, personally, I feel like I have a lot more room to grow.”
Watch this Story: From Serena Williams to Shohei Ohtani: Biggest Stars Who Won AP Athlete of the Year Before Aaron Judge
Who do you think will win the AL MVP award in 2023? Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Written by
Edited by
Deepika Bhaduri