AL ERA No. 1 competes for the home run king? “The Dignity of Otani”
Ohtani Shohei (29), who has been surprised by his two-time double job since the 2018 season. Ahead of the opening of the 2023 season, there was a prospect of announcing the greatness of the double job.
On the 27th (Korean time)안전놀이터, MLB.com, the official homepage of the Major League Baseball, predicted and announced the title holder in the main categories of pitching in the two major leagues.
This includes the pitcher’s ERA, strikeouts, saves and batter’s batting average, home runs, and stolen bases. Ohtani was evaluated to be ranked first in the American League ERA as a pitcher.
Ohtani started 28 games last year as a pitcher and pitched 166 innings with a 2.33 ERA. This is the fourth best record in the American League.
Last year’s American League ERA leader, Justin Verlander, left for the National League. The gap between Ohtani and last year’s second place Dylan Siege and third place Alec Manoa was very small.
As a result, it was predicted that Ohtani could rise to the top of the American League ERA in the 2023 season. This is a fully feasible prospect.
Candidates to compete with Ohtani include Jacob deGrom, Manoa, Shane McLanahan, Framber Valdez, Shiz, and Christian Javier. All are outstanding starting pitchers.
Also, Aaron Judge (31), who became the clean home run king with 62 homers last year, was evaluated as likely to become the home run king for the second consecutive year. Judge is currently the most likely candidate for the home run title.
One more reason to explain Ohtani’s greatness was revealed here. MLB.com mentioned Ohtani as one of the candidates to compete with Judge for the home run king.
In addition, Sandy Alcantara for the National League ERA, Gerrit Cole and Corbin Burns for strikeouts, and Emmanuel Classe and Josh Hader for saves were expected.
In addition, Jordan Alvarez-Freddy Freeman in batting average, Pete Alonso in the National League Home Run King, and Bobby Witt Jr.-Tray Turner and Ronald Acuña Jr. in stolen bases.