Reporter John Heyman, a leading Major League Baseball source, used his personal SNS on the 9th (Korea Standard Time) to pour out praise Otani.

Otani started as the first designated 메이저놀이터 hitter against the “2023 Major League” LA Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 9th (Korea Standard Time).

On this day, Ohtani faced the last game of the first half, and as the leadoff hitter in the top of the first inning, he showed an explosive sense of hitting from his first at-bat. He hit a heavy hit against opposing starter Alex Besia.

After one out in the top of the third inning, he hit a triple in his second at-bat to score. The home run also exploded. In the top of the seventh inning, his fourth at-bat, he hit a slider by relief pitcher Michael Grove and hit a two-run home run (season 32nd) over the right fence.

Otani’s home run shot flew 433 feet (about 131.9 meters) at a speed of 105.2 miles (about 169.3 kilometers) per hour with a 29-degree angle. His final performance was strong with three hits (one home run) and three RBIs in four at-bats, but he lost his light due to his team’s 5-10 defeat.

Otani finished the first half with a batting average of 0.302 (103 hits in 341 at-bats), 32 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 11 steals (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 1.050, and a pitcher with a 7-4 100⅓ innings ERA of 3.32 132 strikeouts and 1.10 (on-base percentage per inning) in both pitching and batting.

After the game, Hayman said, “The MVP race is over for the All-Star break. This time it’s really over. Ohtani is the best baseball player,” he praised.

Otani is emerging as a strong candidate for the American League MVP this year. Last year, he lost the MVP to Aaron Judge (31, New York Yankees), who hit 62 home runs, but there is no candidate to match this year. Jersey has been on the injured list (IL) since early last month due to a right big toe injury. Otani, who stands out in both pitchers and batters, is likely to be selected as MVP.

The Major League, which will start the All-Star break from the 11th to the 15th, will Otani show his consistency and prove that “the MVP is Otani (AEMO) anyway.” Otani’s second half, which had a perfect first half, is already raising fans’ expectations.