
via Imago
via IMAGO

via Imago
via IMAGO
Baseball debates are older than peanuts at the ballpark, but some arguments still split the dugout. One side worships raw power; the other bows to impossible versatility. And when two titans collide—each rewriting record books in their freakish way—the room gets loud. Enter Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, the two-man civil war of modern baseball. And yes, an MLB analyst just dropped a verdict that might end friendships.
Two franchises, two stars, and all to play for this weekend. The New York Yankees will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and MLB’s unicorn, Shohei Ohtani, will face baseball’s powerhouse, Aaron Judge. But when asked about whom he would rather have on his team, MLB analyst Brian Hayes says the guy in blue. During a show at SportsCenter, Brian Hayes was a guest on the show and was asked who he would have on his team.
The MLB analyst said, “Shohei Ohtani, come on down to Team Hayes. You are joining Team Hayes. I am Shohei Ohtani all day, and to be clear here, there’s not a wrong answer.” And Hayes is right; there is no wrong answer. Shohei Ohtani is baseball’s ultimate cheat code—a power hitter and ace-level pitcher in one body. In 2023, he hit .304 with 44 home runs, 95 RBI, and a 1.066 OPS, leading the AL in slugging and OPS+.
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Even without pitching this season, he’s an elite offensive force who can carry any lineup. When healthy on the mound, he’s a frontline starter—2.33 ERA, 219 strikeouts in 2022—making him two All-Stars in one. Building around Ohtani means building around dominance on both sides of the ball. He neutralizes opposing lineups as a pitcher and breaks games open as a hitter.

His WAR in 2021 (9.0) and 2022 (9.6) topped nearly every player in MLB. With Ohtani, you’re never just getting a bat or an arm—you’re getting both every fifth day. So yes, while Aaron Judge may crush baseballs into the next borough, Ohtani redefines the sport entirely. He’s not just filling two roster spots—he’s erasing the rulebook. Building a team? Start with the guy who’s already two players.
The debate may rage on, but the scoreboard—statistical and strategic—leans heavily toward the unicorn in cleats. Case closed, your Honor.
What’s your perspective on:
Is Shohei Ohtani the real MVP, or does Aaron Judge's power make him the true king?
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If Aaron Judge thinks he is the MVP, Shohei Ohtani is bringing some bad news
Baseball fans might want to hold off on engraving that MVP trophy just yet. While one slugger is busy admiring his stat sheet, another is quietly rewriting history. In a season where hype often trumps hustle, reality has a funny way of setting the record straight. Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge—two names, one crown, and a growing sense that only one of them truly belongs in the spotlight.
Shohei Ohtani isn’t just playing baseball in 2025—he’s putting on a weekly masterclass. With 20 home runs, 11 stolen bases, and a batting average of .292, the numbers speak volumes. His OPS has surged past 1.042, silencing early-season critics who doubted his plate performance. “The guy’s absolutely killing it at the plate,” said Ben Verlander—and honestly, there’s no better way to put it.
MLB insider Verlander believes Ohtani is the man to beat in the MVP race—and for good reason. He was the first player in 20 years to notch 10 homers and 10 stolen bases in just 36 games. “That hadn’t been done since Brian Roberts in 2005,” Verlander noted, highlighting just how rare the feat is. Ohtani isn’t just padding stats—he’s rewriting what’s possible on the field.
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Aaron Judge may have 18 home runs, but Ohtani’s impact goes beyond the long ball. He’s delivering clutch hits, stealing bags, and dragging his team across finish lines. “Sho comes up with just a massive clutch game-winning three-run homer,” Verlander said of a recent ninth-inning miracle. Aaron Judge is great, but right now, Shohei Ohtani is operating on a different planet.
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And that ninth-inning blast wasn’t just a homer—it was a headline. Ohtani isn’t chasing the MVP; he’s daring others to keep up. While Judge is stacking homers, Ohtani is stacking moments that define a season. The numbers say it, the highlights scream it—Shohei is the show. If there’s a debate, it’s already over… someone just needs to tell the Judge.
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Is Shohei Ohtani the real MVP, or does Aaron Judge's power make him the true king?