Shohei Ohtani's 50-50 milestone "not even close" to Aaron Judge's 2024 excellence, says MLB insider

Shohei Ohtani might have achieved the greatest single-season offensive accomplishment in the MLB, but some analysts still aren't convinced that the LA Dodgers superstar deserves all the applause. Analyst Kevin Barker completely downplayed Ohtani inaugurating the 50-50 club and instead claimed that New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has had a better season.

On the "Blair & Barker" podcast, co-hosted by Jeff Blair and Barker, the pair have been debating over the last few days over who should get the National League MVP.

On Friday's episode, the latter refused to accept that even after going 6-for-6 against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, hitting five extra-base hits including two home runs and two stolen bases to reach the elusive milestone, Shohei Ohtani deserved the award. Instead, Barker said it belonged to the New York Mets' Francisco Lindor, who is currently out injured.

"The bases have never been bigger, dude's holding runners on, never been worse," Barker said. "Will he do it next year? No, because he's having to play a different position, like he's actually having to do something.

"Look, yeah, he's having a tremendous year, and he will win the MVP by far, but if Lindor would have stayed healthy with the schedule that the Mets had and the way they've been playing, he would have got my vote."

Barker even substantiated why he felt Shohei Ohtani's record-breaking season doesn't even compare to the likes of Aaron Judge. For him, the Bombers outfielder has provided more value in the Bronx due to his defensive prowess, something that Ohtani hasn't been able to give in Los Angeles because of his DH role.

"I've talked to a lot of people who have tried to play every day at the highest level. 'Who's had a better season, Ohtani or Judge?'" Barker said. "It's not even close, I mean, Judge's OPS is a 150 points higher, and he plays center, and he does it for the Yankees."

Shohei Ohtani one-shy of Aaron Judge's home run lead

Aaron Judge was at one point the runaway leader of the MLB home run chart. The Yankees captain had reached 51 home runs by Aug. 25 and was on pace to break his own American League record of 62 home runs. However, after hitting a major slump, the slugger has only managed two home runs since then.

Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani has hit 11 home runs during the same period. His latest came against the Colorado Rockies in the series opener on Friday. That puts him on 52 home runs for the season and one away from tying Judge at the top. With the form he's in, it is well expected that he will go past him in the remaining eight games.