Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani for 2022 AL MVP: Pitching or Batting?

As the MLB season draws to a close, the race for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) is heating up. Aaron Judge of the Yankees and Shohei Ohtani of the Angels have both delivered outstanding seasons, leading their respective teams in different ways. However, their paths to the MVP award are complicated by their unique skill sets. In this article, we will dissect whether Aaron Judge needs to pitch to win the 2022 AL MVP over Shohei Ohtani, or if it's Ohtani's all-around skills that make the difference.

The Case for Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani is unquestionably the most valuable player in the league right now. What sets him apart is his dual-pitching and hitting prowess, making him a two-way star. Unlike Aaron Judge, who primarily plays first base as a designated hitter (DH), Ohtani contributes both offensively and defensively, a trait that traditional metrics like WAR (Wins Above Replacement) struggle to fully capture.

Why WAR May Not Be Enough for Ohtani

When measuring a player's impact, WAR does not always do a good job reflecting the value of two-way players. Offensive WAR is calculated based on how a player performs relative to others at their position. This can lead to an unfair advantage for players in defensive-intensive positions. For example, a shortstop or second baseman who plays great defense may have a higher WAR simply because they have to be defensively reliable.

However, this doesn’t translate as well for first basemen and designated hitters, who often have a harder time boosting their WAR because they don’t play as much defense. When Ohtani's offensive WAR is calculated, it is done as a catcher, but this is misleading because he is a pitcher. His offensive contributions, when measured strictly in runs created, are off the charts. And when his defensive contributions are considered, his overall value is even greater.

Assessing Ohtani’s Total Impact

Some articles suggest that when measuring a player's value in terms of runs created on offense and runs saved on defense, Ohtani is likely ahead of all other players. While precise statistics are hard to find for this year, Ohtani's performance last year was exceptional, and he is currently having an even better year based on his pitching. Over the past two seasons, Ohtani has been the best player in the world, with performances comparable to that of Barry Bonds.

The Case Against Aaron Judge for MVP

While Aaron Judge has been remarkable, he is more of a one-dimensional player. The Yankees are 88-58, while the Angels are 64-82. The Angels are in danger of finishing with a sub-.500 record even if they win every game for the rest of the season. Normally, MVP awards are reserved for players on playoff teams. In this case, the clear-cut choice should be the player who has had the best overall impact on a playoff-caliber team. With the Angels' struggles, it becomes even clearer that Ohtani should be the choice over Judge.

Judge's Offensive Dominance

Aaron Judge’s offensive performance is simply stunning. As of now, he is hitting .316, just 0.001 points away from leading the league at .317. He is on pace to break Barry Bonds' long-standing record of 73 home runs, with 59 already and a .316/.419/.701 slash line. His production is unparalleled, leading the league in RBIs, walks, runs, and total bases. This outstanding performance alone makes him a strong candidate for the MVP award.

Judge’s Defensive Impact

Despite his phenomenal hitting, Judge’s defense is not up to par for a star player. However, his offensive contributions are so dominant that they overshadow any possible shortcomings in defense. If he can hit close to 70 home runs and maintain his impressive slash line, his statistical impact on the team will be undeniable.

Conclusion

While both Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have had standout seasons, the arguments supporting Ohtani for the AL MVP are compelling. His dual-pitching and hitting skills make him invaluable to the Angels, even if the team is not meeting expectations. Judge's impressive hitting alone puts him in strong contention for the award, but the multi-dimensional impact of Ohtani makes him the clear second-best choice.

In conclusion, while Aaron Judge may not need to pitch to win the MVP, Ohtani’s diverse skills and impact on the game make him the best candidate for the honor in 2022.