Shohei Ohtani, the shining star of the Los Angeles Angels, added another prestigious accolade to his name this past week. Wednesday saw Ohtani being bestowed with the esteemed American League Player of the Month Award. This honor is a testament to his spectacular performance in July, where he delivered a .282 hitting average with nine home runs, 14 runs batted in, and an outstanding OPS of 1.152. The corresponding award in the National League was snagged by Cubs outfielder, Cody Bellinger.
Notably, Ohtani closed off July by securing the Player of the Week Award. Therefore, it was only appropriate for him to step into August as the proud holder of the Player of the Month title too. He played a critical role in boosting the Angels’ standing and was a key factor in the team’s decision to buy at the trade deadline.
Ohtani showcased an impressive versatility in July, excelling on both sides of the ball and delivering one of the most memorable performances towards the end of the month. On July 27, during a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, Ohtani truly stole the show. In the first game, he pitched a complete game and achieved his first-ever one-hit shutout. In the second game, Ohtani hit two home runs in his first two at-bats, before having to leave due to cramping.
This standout performance from Ohtani, in and of itself, would be enough to earn him the Player of the Month award. However, he didn’t stop there. The month of July saw Ohtani consistently delivering extraordinary performances, which ultimately led to him being rewarded with the monthly honor.
A hearty congratulations to Ohtani for grabbing yet another significant award! Given his current performance and form, as long as he maintains his health, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another MVP Award adorning his collection by the end of the season.
