Shohei Ohtani is an historic talent having another historic season,, but he isn’t the NL MVP. Franciso Lindor is.
There is, of course, time for this to change. But by any measurement Lindor has been the bigger impact player this season. Lindor began the year in 1-31 slump, but he’s been on a tear ever since now slashing .270/.339/.490 with 28 home runs and a 134 OPS+ (which is a measurement of a players on base + slugging relative to the rest of the league).
Ohtani’s offensive numbers dwarf these (or anyones) he’s slashing .292/.377/.613 with an OPS+ of 174 and has now joined the 40-40 club.
But baseball isn’t just played at the plate.
Lindor plays short stop for the New York Mets, anchoring one of, if not the, single most important position on the defense. Lindor doesn’t just play short stop, he is one of the very best to do it.
This is why Lindor’s overall wins above replacement is higher than Ohtani’s. It is the highest of any NL player, and #4 in the entire league.
Ohtani is no doubt the better hitter, and when you consider what Ohtani can do as a pitcher he’s a singular force (well maybe except for Babe Ruth) in the history of the game. For these reasons, and the Dodgers dominance, don’t be surprised if Ohtani gets the votes and the award.
But the numbers don’t like. Lindor in all aspects of the game of baseball has been the most valuable player in the National League, and a good bit more valuable than Ohtani.
