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2023 AL MVP Power Rankings: Surprise dark horses join familiar leaderboard

By Marci Rubin

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 19: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates his RBI double behind Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 19, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 19: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates his RBI double behind Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 19, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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Jun 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 AL MVP predictions: 2. Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels), the favorite

The Los Angeles Angels’ two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani has continued his impressive career as a rare player who is both a starting pitcher and a designated hitter. The 2021 AL MVP was second in last year’s voting. Ohtani is again a favorite to win MVP this season. Most lists of betting odds have him with the best odds right now. What Ohtani does for the game of baseball with his ability to succeed on the mound and at the plate is unparalleled; he’s one of a kind in baseball today.

In 2023, Ohtani has continued to show he is a complete player. He has a 3.0 bWAR this season. The elite DH has 15 home runs and 41 RBI. He’s slashing .274/.346/.539 with an .885 OPS. Ohtani often comes up clutch for his team in big spots. On the pitching side, Ohtani is 5-2 with a 3.30 ERA through 12 starts. His current ERA is elevated from a few poor outings lately, but it’s still early enough that there’s time for it to come down. Hitters are averaging .175 against Ohtani who is third in the MLB strikeout column and second in the AL with 96 strikeouts so far this season. In 71 innings pitched, Ohtani has allowed just 43 hits.

It’s a difficult task, but Ohtani is trying to push the Angels into the playoff picture. It’s unlikely considering they’ve made the playoffs once since 2010. If they get there or get close, it would be largely thanks to Ohtani and Mike Trout. There’s also a lot of talk that Ohtani could be traded this season. His possible landing spots have been a hot topic in recent months. He is set to become a free agent after this season.

The top three spots for AL MVP will continue to be hotly debated throughout the season, and many are predicting that Ohtani will top the voting at the end of the season. Ohtani is in a race with number one on this list, and it’s no spoiler alert that the player is Aaron Judge. It takes a really special season to top Ohtani for MVP like Judge did last year. Regardless of who comes out on top, Ohtani will excel in his own lane for years to come.

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