MLB Weekly Digest November 22nd Edition: Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani Wins AL MVP Unanimously

The last week in MLB was about several players winning awards in the American and National League and starting pitcher signs with a club.

Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani Wins AL MVP, Phillies Bryce Harper Wins NL MVP

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani had a historic 2021 season and was selected as the unanimous American League MVP.

He is the 11 unanimous choice for AL MVP and the first since his teammate Mike Trout in 2014.

It’s been something special to witness what you’ve accomplished as a teammate. You have put together a season of your own…

WELL DESERVED, #SHOTIME!!! #MVP pic.twitter.com/9gycPnk6MA

— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) November 18, 2021

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finished second with 29 second-place votes.

Ohtani posted a .257 batting average and .965 OPS in 155 games with 103 runs scored, 26 doubles, league-leading eight triples, 46 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases.

He becomes the sixth player ever to have a 40-homer, 25-steal season.

Ohtani is the fourth different Angels player to win MVP, per MLB Stats.

Shohei Ohtani is the 4th different @Angels player to win MVP. pic.twitter.com/RpyxwhIXcT

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) November 19, 2021

As a pitcher, he compiled a 3.18 ERA in 130 1 /3 innings pitched (23 starts) with 156 strikeouts, 44 walks issued, 15 home runs allowed, a 141 ERA+, and 3.52 FIP.

Ohtani provided plenty of excitement throughout the entire season.

Hitting.
Pitching.
Running.
Shohei Ohtani did it all to earn AL MVP. 👏 pic.twitter.com/SS02qx8qyZ

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) November 18, 2021

In the National League, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper was selected as the MVP.

MVP 🏆@bryceharper3 is the 2021 NL Most Valuable Player! pic.twitter.com/SR5WL5ArTy

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 18, 2021

Harper won the award over outfielder Juan Soto and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.

Harper led the NL with 42 doubles, a .615 slugging percentage, and 1.044 OPS in 141 games, including 101 runs scored, 35 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.

The outfielder won the award for the second time in his career as he earned the honor in 2015 with the Nationals.

He is the fifth player in history to win MVP with two franchises, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

Only 4 players have won an MVP award with two franchises (since BBWAA began voting on MVP in 1931):

Frank Robinson: Reds, Orioles
Barry Bonds: Pirates, Giants
Alex Rodriguez: Rangers, Yankees
Jimmie Foxx: Athletics, Red Sox

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 18, 2021

.@bryceharper3 is 1 of 5 players to win an MVP with multiple teams.

h/t: @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/d8s2gx7Ihs

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) November 18, 2021

Toronto Blue Jays Robbie Ray Wins AL Cy Young; Brewers Burnes Wins NL Cy Young

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray won the American League Cy Young Award, beating  Gerrit Cole and Lance Lynn to win the award.

He is the fourth Blue Jays pitcher to win the award and the first since Roy Halladay in 2003, per CBC Sports.

Robbie Ray is a Cy Young award winner 🏆⚾️

Former Blue Jays winners:
Pat Hentgen ('96)
Roger Clemens ('97, '98)
Roy Halladay ('03)https://t.co/BInVoHNp4P

(h/t @ShiDavidi) pic.twitter.com/l7PPUjNIPR

— CBC Sports (@cbcsports) November 18, 2021

Ray was dominant the entire season for the Blue Jays as he led the AL in ERA, innings pitched, strikeouts, and WHIP at 2.84, 193 1/3, 248, and 1.04, respectively.

Robbie Ray is the 2021 AL Cy Young winner!

Ray led the American League in ERA, Ks, IP and WHIP. 👏 pic.twitter.com/l0FlSga4dR

— MLB (@MLB) November 17, 2021

.@RobbieRay had the season of a lifetime pic.twitter.com/OlKa1a5qDC

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) November 17, 2021

The turnaround for Ray was impressive as he authored a 6.62 ERA in 2020, which is the highest ERA for a pitcher in the season prior to winning the Cy Young, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

Robbie Ray had a 6.62 ERA in 2020

That is the highest ERA for a pitcher in the season prior to winning Cy Young

Prior highest: 2007 Cliff Lee, 6.29 — won ‘08 CYA

BASEBALL IS THE BEST. TURNAROUNDS ARE AMAZING!

(h/t @EliasSports)

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 17, 2021

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes won the National League Cy Young Award, defeating Zack Wheeler and Max Scherzer.

Corbin Burnes is the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qEr4KhRAt3

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 17, 2021

Burnes was phenomenal during the 2021 season as he led the NL with a 2.43 ERA in 167 innings pitched (28 starts), including 234 strikeouts, 34 walks surrendered, seven home runs yielded, a 176 ERA+, and 1.63 FIP.

.@Burnes16 dominated from start to finish in 2021. pic.twitter.com/OZGWxNh3Fq

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) November 17, 2021

Burnes led MLB in K per nine innings pitched (12.6), ranked third in walks per nine (1.83), and was first in home runs per nine (0.38).

He is the first pitcher in modern MLB history (since 1900) to finish in the top three of each category, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Corbin Burnes wins the NL Cy Young Award.

Burnes led the majors in K per 9 IP (12.6), ranked 3rd in walks per 9 (1.83) and 1st in HR per 9 (0.38).

He became the 1st pitcher in modern MLB history (since 1900) to finish in the top 3 of each category (h/t @EliasSports). pic.twitter.com/lFOtGYWAhY

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 17, 2021

He became the third Brewers pitcher to win the award and the first since they moved to the NL in 1998, per MLB Stats.

.@Burnes16 is the first @Brewers pitcher to win a Cy Young in 39 years (Pete Vuckovich), when Milwaukee was in the American League. pic.twitter.com/ZFCuZ2LsOZ

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) November 17, 2021

Rollie Fingers in 1981 and Pete Vuckovich in 1982 won while the Brewers played in the AL.

Houston Astros Re-Sign Starting Pitcher Justin Verlander to One-Year Deal

Justin Verlander has re-signed with the Houston Astros, per a tweet by his brother Ben last week.

🚨IT’S OFFICIAL🚨@JustinVerlander is signing with Houston Astros!!

— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) November 17, 2021

The deal for Verlander is one year worth $25 million, including a player option for 2023, a source told Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston.

MLB source: @JustinVerlander has reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the #Astros worth $25 million, with a player option for a second year. https://t.co/9fF9KULOfj

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 17, 2021

The option is worth another $25 million, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Player option is indeed $25M. So guarantee really is $50M (or more if he opts out). https://t.co/mDSpgjYgS7

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 17, 2021

Verlander had rejected the qualifying offer from the Astros, was out the entire 2021 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Verlander had a showcase earlier this month to show teams he is healthy.

Author Profile

Chris Lacey

Chris is a 29-year old New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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