Dusty Baker gets a regular look at Shohei Ohtani as an AL West rival, but the Astros manager says Aaron Judge should be the runaway AL MVP in 2022.
“Last year I believed Ohtani was the MVP, but this year, I can’t give it to him,” Baker told Ryan Ruocco and CC Sabathia on the latest R2C2 podcast. “How do you, in modern times, be in line to win the Triple Crown and hit 60 home runs? Usually if a guy is hitting 60 home runs, he’s batting like .230. He’s not only slugging, he’s hitting and driving in runs.”
Judge, one home run shy setting the American League record, has the edge over Ohtani in WAR, and while Ohtani’s incredible two-way talent puts him in a league of his own, Baker believes Judge should also get the nod because of his own contributions both at the plate and in the field.
“He is doing it in the leadoff spot and the second spot…his opportunities, everyone is pitching around him,” Baker said. “He’s my unanimous MVP. He’s a bad boy. I didn’t think he was gonna continue this pace, especially playing center field. That’s a lot of work. He’s doing work on both sides of the field.”
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