MLB awards season is well underway, and in 2021, it has simply become Shohei Ohtani awards season. The Los Angeles Angels two-way star has had his name all over every major award, and there’s no signs of slowing down.
On Thursday, the winners of the 2021 Players Choice Awards were revealed. Each year, the players get a chance to vote for who they believe was the best player, pitcher, and person of that season. It’s a small selection, with only 11 awards given out — and just 10 to current players — but it’s more meaningful when it comes from peers.
Ohtani was awarded twice on Thursday during the announcement. The first award he won was the AL Outstanding Player Award, which goes to the best non-pitcher in the American League. Ohtani won this award over Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays and Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals.
He also took home the biggest award of the night, which is the Player of the Year Award. This is similar to the league-wide MVP award, and is not split by American and National League. Ohtani won this award over Guerrero Jr. and Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies.
These wins came shortly after Ohtani became the 16th ever recipient of the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award, as well as being named a finalist for a Silver Slugger. In terms of awards, it’s hard to have a more productive week than the one Ohtani is currently having.
Moving forward, there are still plenty more awards for the Angels star to be a part of. With most of the secondary awards out of the way, MLB can turn to the official MVP, Cy Young, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove winners.
The full list of the Players Choice Awards winners can be seen below.
Players Choice Awards winners
Player of the Year: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
Marvin Miller Man of the Year: Marcus Semien, Toronto Blue Jays
Curt Flood Award: Mark Belanger
AL Outstanding Player: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
NL Outstanding Player: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
AL Outstanding Pitcher: Robbie Ray, Toronto Blue Jays
NL Outstanding Pitcher: Max Scherzer, Los Angeles Dodgers
AL Outstanding Rookie: Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles
NL Outstanding Rookie: Jonathan India, Cincinnati Reds
AL Comeback Player: Trey Mancini, Baltimore Orioles
NL Comeback Player: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
