Several players had enough merits to be crowned the MVP of the World Baseball Classic this year.
Masataka Yoshida had 13 RBI, and Trea Turner hit a whopping five home runs, for example.
None of them were more impressive than Los Angeles Angels and Team Japan star Shohei Ohtani.
Much like he has done during his career as a pro, Ohtani excelled as both a pitcher and a hitter.
On the mound, he had a 1.86 ERA in 9.2 frames, including an impressive save in the final game against the United States.
He finished third in strikeouts on the mound, with 11.
As a hitter, he was marvelous, too: a .435/.606/.739 line, four doubles, a home run, eight RBI, and a 1.345 OPS.
Those numbers earned him MVP honors, as he was simultaneously one of the tournament’s best hitters and pitchers.
His numbers went beyond the traditional ones, though:
MVP energy 😤 pic.twitter.com/weqRqo35QZ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 22, 2023
Ohtani also ranked first in the event in the unofficial “wow” factor.
Yes: people watched him play (in some cases, for the first time) and the most common word that came out of their mouths was “wow.”
He threw the fastest pitch in the Classic, a 102-mph fastball to Italy in the quarterfinals.
He also hit the hardest ball of the event, a 118.7-mph rocket against Czech Republic in the Pool B phase.
Oh, and he hit the furthest ball of the WBC, too.
Is there anything this guy can’t do?
Such a thing doesn’t seem to exist.
He is a freak of nature, in the best of ways.
Ohtani is the most impressive and unique player ever to step foot on a baseball field.
NEXT:
Shohei Ohtani May Be In For A Shock On Friday
