Nov 12 (NHK) - In Major League Baseball, Japanese two-way star Ohtani Shohei has won the Silver Slugger Award in the designated hitter category.
The prize is awarded to the best offensive player in each position. MLB managers and coaches cast votes to choose the winners.
The MLB announced on Thursday that Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels had been named the best hitter in the DH category in the American League. This is the first time that Ohtani has won the award.
Former Japanese slugger Suzuki Ichiro won the award in 2001, 2007 and 2009. Ohtani is the first Japanese player to win in the DH category.
Ohtani performed brilliantly this season. It was his fourth season in the MLB. He racked up 46 homers, 100 runs batted in and 26 stolen bases. He also became only the sixth MLB player to hit 45 homers and steal 25 bases in a single season.
As a pitcher, he recorded nine wins. He also became the first player ever to start as both a pitcher and a leadoff batter in the All-Star Game in July.
Ohtani has already won the MLB Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award. The prize was given out this year for the first time in seven years. The Japanese star was also voted Player of the Year by his peers.
Ohtani is considered to be the favorite among the three finalists for this year's Most Valuable Player Award in the American League. The Baseball Writers' Association is scheduled to announce the MVPs in both the American and National Leagues next Thursday.
