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SHOHEI OHTANI’S 2023 SEASON IN REVIEW


Chuck

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In his sixth Major League season with the Angels, the 29-year-old has compiled a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA (132 IP – 46 ER) and 167 strikeouts in 23 pitching starts, while holding opponents to a .184 average (85/463). As a hitter, he had 102 runs scored, 26 doubles, eight triples, 44 home runs, 95 RBI, 91 walks, 20 stolen bases and a 1.066 OPS.

Below are some additional accomplishments this season:

THE HITTER

  • Ranks in Top Four in the American League in home runs (44; 1st), total bases (325; 1st), extra-base hits (78; 1st), slugging (.654; 1st), OBP (.412; 1st), OPS (1.066; 1st), intentional walks (21; 2nd), triples (8; 3rd), runs (102; T-3rd), walks (91; T-4th), and batting average (.304; 4th).
  • Recorded second career 40+ HR season (hit 46 HR in 2021) and was the first player in the Majors to reach the 40 HR mark in 2023.
  • Third player in Angels history with multiple 40+ HR seasons, joining Troy Glaus (2000 & 2001) and Mike Trout (2015, 2019 & 2022).
  • Third player all-time to record an extra-base hit, walk and run scored in six straight games (June 12-17)...The only other players to do so are Babe Ruth (7 straight games in 1921) and Barry Bonds (6 straight games in 1997).
  • Only player in the Majors to tally 6+ triples and 34+ HR this season (third consecutive year as the only player to do so).

THE PITCHER

  • Leads the A.L. (min. 130 IP) with a .184 (85/463) opponent batting average.
  • Finished year with an active streak of 20.2 consecutive innings pitched without allowing an earned run.
  • Allowed one-or-fewer earned runs in 13 of 23 starts.
  • Pitched first career complete game and first shutout on July 27 at Detroit in Game 1 of a doubleheader…Held Tigers to one hit and three walks with eight strikeouts.
  • In addition to leading the league in opponent batting average, ranked among American League leaders at the time of his final start in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (11.39; 2nd), whiff rate (30.9%; 2nd), ERA (3.14; 3rd), WHIP (1.06; 4th), strikeouts (167; 5th), winning percentage (.667; T5th) and wins (10; T8th).

TWO-WAY

  • Recorded 10+ pitching wins and 30+ HR for a second consecutive season.
    • Babe Ruth (1918) is the only other player with 10+ wins and 10+ HR.
  • In 23 games as the Angels starting pitcher, batted .372 (29/78) with three doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 15 RBI.
    • Seven HR in games pitched tied for the second-most in a season all-time (Wes Ferrell – 9 HR in games pitched for Cleveland in 1931).
  • Made nine pitching starts while also leading the Majors in home runs as a batter.
  • Finished one hit shy of hitting for the cycle in three different pitching starts.
  • Served as the Angels starting designated hitter in all of his pitching starts.

ALL-STAR

  • Selected to the All-Star Game as both a pitcher and position player for a third consecutive season.
    • Only player in MLB history to be selected as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher.
  • Was the American League’s leading vote-getter in Phase 1 of fan voting and joined Rod Carew (1979) and Trout (2019) as Angels players to lead the A.L. in fan voting.
  • Joined Hall of Famer David Ortiz (2011-13) as the only players to receive three straight fan elections at designated hitter.

AWARDS AND HONORS

  • 2023 Angels MVP Award (third straight year voted by teammates as Angels MVP).
  • Two-time American League Player of the Month (June & July).
  • Three-time American League Player of the Week (June 12-18, June 26-July 2 & July 24-30).

SHO OFF

  • Would join Troy Glaus (2000) as the only Angels players to finish a season as the American League home run leader
  • Finished the season with the most popular player jersey in MLB based on sales from MLBShop.com
  • On June 27 vs. White Sox, became the first A.L. player to hit multiple home runs and have 10+ pitching strikeouts in the same game since Cleveland’s Pedro Ramos on July 31, 1963 (Game 2) vs. Angels
  • First player in MLB history with 15+ SB & 40+ HR through his team’s first 114 games
  • On July 27 at Detroit, became first player ever to pitch a complete game shutout in one game of a doubleheader and hit a home run in the other (hit two homers in the nightcap after tossing a shutout in Game 1)
  • Leads the Major Leagues with a 10.1 bWAR this season (the next highest A.L. total belongs to Gerrit Cole – 7.4)
  • From June 12-15 at Texas, became the third player since 1901 with 4+ home runs and 7+ walks in a four-game series, joining Detroit’s Hank Greenberg (Sept. 18-19, 1940 vs. Philadelphia A’s) and Pittsburgh’s Ralph Kiner (Aug. 3-5, 1951 vs. Phillies)

 

**Research provided by Elias Sports Bureau, STATS, ESPN Stats & Info, Baseball Reference, Sportradar, Fangraphs and MLB**

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He is a special player and one of rare talent and a unique skillset. He also supported his teammates very well, cheered them on. He is a disciplined player and person who doesn't engage in some of the tomfoolery that lands many other players on the nightly news or the gossip rags. He exudes class, works hard, and does his job. I wish that he had been surrounded with more talent and stability, but we must also recognize that the Angels also catered to his dream and desire to be a two-way player and afforded him the opportunity to display and further develop that very rare talent and paid him very handsomely as well. Other teams were not willing to do that, and that could be true of those hoping to land his services. Hopefully, that has built up some escrow in the Angels' account when it comes to FA destination selection for Shohei, and he opts to stay put. If that were to happen, I would expect our club to get serious about assembling a credible supporting cast bolstered by organizational stability that is goal-oriented and focused. Chuck, you really highlighted his skills and accomplishments very adroitly.

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