Who is currently the best in the MLB?
Based on the stats, is Shohei Ohtani not only the best but also the most versatile player in the MLB
The top five rated players in the MLB are 1) Ronald Acuña Jr., RF, Braves (2023 rank: 25), 2) Mookie Betts, 2B, Dodgers (2023 rank: 4), 3) Aaron Judge, CF, Yankees (2023 rank: 2), 4) Shohei Ohtani, DH, Dodgers (2023 rank: 1), 5) Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers (2023 rank: 10) MLB.com. These are arguably the best MLB players in the league right now. And in the list, Shohei Ohtani’s name comes up. And he is ranked number one.
Shoehei Otahni has been better than anyone has expected. After signing a world record-breaking $700 million contract, this just shows how he can be any worse than the best. I feel that he stands out compared to all the other players because of his dedication to the game and his nonstop hustle. If you look at all these other players, when they hit the ball back to the pitcher, they will just jog off the field or strut to the bag. With Shohei, you will always give it his all no matter the circumstance. “Ohtani had already etched his name in baseball lore with the first 50-home-run, 50-stolen-base season in MLB history”, yahoo.com. This shows his hustle if he has 50 stolen bases this season. If he has an opportunity, he will take it.
Shohei Ohtani signing his $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
Ever since he signed a contract with the Dodgers, almost every single one of his stats has been at an all-time high. Stats found at ESPN.com. This season, he has become an incredible player, to the point that people are arguing about whether he is the greatest athlete of all time. “Ohtani is the greatest performing athlete in the world at the moment. It’s better than Mahomes. Better than Djokovic. It’s better than Messi. Better than Jokic… In baseball, a player is one of two things: a hitter or a pitcher. Not both. Then along came Ohtani from Japanese professional baseball. He not only hits and pitches, he excels at both. As of Monday, he ranked No. 1 in slugging percentage”, Deseret News.
Not many players can be as good as Shohei Ohtani, especially since he can pitch and be an amazing designated hitter. He has 54 home runs and 59 bases stolen in the 2024 season. He has the 5th highest batting average of .310. “Former MLB utility player Mark DeRosa is joining in on the praise for Ohtani. DeRosa, who had a 15-year career playing for eight MLB teams, called Ohtani the ‘best hitter in the game.’”. Sportsillistrated.com. This proves that if an MLB veteran is calling him the best hitter, it must be true. Dodgers played the Atlanta Braves on May 7th, and Shohei went 4 for 4 hitting 2 home runs 3 RBI’s, and 2 runs. He also broke the Dodgers record for the most home runs for a Japanese-born player.
Shohei hits a home run.
With these stats, you can realize how versatile he is and why he is the best current player in the MLB. He has shown nothing but the best and his true love for the game with his hustle, dedication, and all-around skill to work hard and prove why he is the best.
