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Despite not winning American League MVP last year, it's incredibly difficult to argue anyone other than Shohei Ohtani as the world's best player. The Los Angeles Angels star is now proving it on the world stage at the 2023 WBC.
Team Samurai Japan blitzed through the Pool Play stage, going undefeated. Ohtani's performance is probably the biggest reason why. Japan has a deep talent of roster, but it's the Ohtani show for them.
As a result, the two-way superstar has been named the MVP of Pool B. He's been unbelievably good so far.
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Ohtani has pitched four scoreless innings with a single hit given up. He also recorded five strikeouts. That's exceptional pitching.
However, it doesn't end there. Ohtani has been absolutely scorching at the plate. He's hitting .500 and has an absurd eight RBI with a home run and two doubles. He has truly been the MVP of the entire World Baseball Classic, not just Group B.
Fans are totally in awe of the 2021 AL MVP's performance thus far.
Ohtani has routinely been among the conversation for the best player in baseball for a few years now. He's further making his case on the world stage.
Shohei Ohtani proving he can be great under pressure
The biggest knock on Shohei Ohtani through his young MLB career is that he hasn't gotten to the playoffs. Besides the fact that it's strange to pin that on one or even two (Mike Trout) players, good players generally play well in big moments.
Ohtani hasn't gotten to those big moments, so fans might have wondered how he'd fare with genuine pressure. This World Baseball Classic is showing that he was made for the big stage.
He's excelling against the world's best competition and doing it while under intense pressure to win for his home country. The MLB playoffs would likely be no match for him.
Whether or not he can get there with the Angels or if he'll go elsewhere to play in October remains to be seen. What is clear is that he can absolutely handle the postseason.
