Angels’ Shohei Ohtani and Phillies’ Bryce Harper Win MVP

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani in 2018
Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018. Photo by Peter Joneleit/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9635290f)

The Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani and the Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper were unveiled as the most valuable players in baseball for the 2021 MLB season on Thursday. Ohtani picked up his first American League MVP award while Harper was named National League MVP for the second time in his career.

Ohtani had a historic campaign in 2021 that saw him excel in both hitting and pitching. The 27-year-old played in 155 games as a hitter and finished the season with a .257 batting average and 46 homers while adding 100 RBIs. He also made 23 starts as a pitcher, compiling a 9-2 record with 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts.

Ohtani got the AL MVP honors unanimously, finishing first on all 30 ballots from Baseball Writers’ Association of America voters. The Toronto Blue Jays’ first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Marcus Semien finished second and third respectively.

Harper, on the other hand, had his best season in the Phillies uniform. In 141 games, he had a .309 batting average, hit 35 home runs, and had 84 RBIs. The 29-year-old also led all of MLB with 42 doubles.

Harper had a total of 348 points, receiving 17 first-place votes and nine second-place votes. The Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto had 274 points behind him while the San Diego Padres’ phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. rounded up the top three with 244 points.