Trent Reinsmith
At the conclusion of the 2021 MLB season, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels, won the American League MVP Award via a unanimous vote. Ohtani, who pitched — and hit — for the Angels, was the 11th American League player to win the MVP in a sweep.
Ohtani joined the following unanimous American League MVP winners: Hank Greenberg (1935), Al Rosen (1953), Mickey Mantle (1956), Frank Robinson (1966), Denny McLain (1968), Reggie Jackson (1973), Jose Canseco (1988), Frank Thomas (1993), Ken Griffey Jr. (1997) and Mike Trout (2014).
Ohtani, who won the American Rookie of the Year Award in 2018, started 23 games on the mound for the Angels in 2021. He was the designated hitter in 126 of the 132 games he played when not pitching.
The Angels have three other AL MVP winners: Don Baylor (1979), Vladimir Guerrero (2004) and Trout (2014, ’26 and ’19.)
Guerrero’s son, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, was the runner up to Ohtani in 2021 voting.
Before we look at the players in the running for the 2022 American League Most Valuable Player Award, check out our tips on betting on the MLB MVP as well as the best sites for betting on MLB in 2022.
2022 MLB AL MVP picks
| To Win 2022 American League MVP Award |  |  |
| Shohei Ohtani | +232 | +232 |
| Aaron Judge | +400 | +400 |
| Mike Trout | +460 | +460 |
| Vladamir Guerrero Jr | +1350 | +1350 |
| Bryon Buxton | +1650 | +1650 |
| Jose Ramirez | +1925 | +1925 |
| Yordan Alvarez | +3000 | +3000 |
| Luis Robert | +3200 | +3200 |
| Wander Franco | +3500 | +3500 |
| Rafael Devers | +5600 | +5600 |
Shohei Ohtani
The American League has not had a back-to-back MVP award winner since Miguel Cabrera won the award in 2012 and 2013 while playing for the Detroit Tigers. Ohtani could break that streak, while also being the first designated hitter to win consecutive MVP awards. In 2021, he became the first DH to ever win the award.
Ohtani is off his MVP numbers of last year. He is currently hitting .251 with an OPS of .769. Last year he hit .257 with an OPS of .965. However, his pitching numbers are better this year with an ERA of 2.82 on seven starts. Last year, he started 23 games and finished with an ERA of 3.18.
Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge finished as the runner-up in the 2017 AL MVP voting to Jose Altuve. Judge finished that year with a .284 batting average, 53 home runs and 114 RBI’s. He played in 155 games that year. Last season, Judge finished fourth in AL MVP voting on the strength of a .287 batting average, 39 HR’s and 98 RBI’s. He played in 148 games.
When Judge is healthy, he is a threat to win the MVP. The problem with Judge is that he misses games. He played in 112 games in 2018 and 102 games in 2019. Judge has played in 42 of the New York Yankees’ 44 games so far in 2022. He is hitting .313 and leads the AL in slugging percentage (.688), runs scored (36), total bases (110), home runs (17) and extra base hits (26).
Mike Trout
Mike Trout is a three-time AL MVP. Like Judge, when he is healthy, he is a threat to win the MVP. Trout was limited to 36 games in 2021. Trout has also finished second in AL MVP voting on four occasions.
Trout has looked excellent this year. He is hitting .319 with 12 home runs and 26 RBI’s. Trout is second in the league with an 1.099 OPS.
In addition to health concerns, one thing to worry about with Trout is if he and his teammate. Ohtani, will split votes for AL MVP winner.
Our pick
The New York Yankees have the best record in baseball right now at 31-13 and one of the big reasons for the teams success is Judge. If Judge can stay healthy, he looks like he is going to win his first AL MVP award.
Pick: Aaron Judge to win the 2022 American League Most Valuable Player Award.
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