Chicago White Sox: 3 players that can dethrone Ohtani as MVP

On Thursday night MLB award season came to an end, culminating with the 2021 MVP winners. Jose Abreu’s name appeared on the MVP ballot once again after winning the award in 2020. He became the first Chicago White Sox player to win the award since Frank Thomas.

Ultimately, he was unable to defend his title. Shohei Ohtani was named the American League MVP after putting together one of the most impressive campaigns in MLB history. Ohtani proved to be the best two-way player the sport has seen since Babe Ruth.

The Japanese sensation had a WAR of 9.1, the highest mark in the MLB. He amassed 46 home runs, stole 25 bases, and hit eight triples, which tied for the major league lead. He also posted a .965 OPS which was the second-highest in the AL.

Ohtani joined Alfonso Soriano, Chipper Jones, Jose Canseco, Larry Walker, and Barry Bonds as the only players in major league history to hit 45+ home runs and have 25+ stolen bases. Ohtani also made 23 starts for the Angels and complied 130 1/3 innings.

He was named the AL starting pitcher in the All-Star game and finished the season with a 3.18 ERA, 156 strikeouts, and 44 walks. Out of all MLB pitchers that logged at least 120 innings, Ohtani ranked within the top 14% in strikeout percentage, the top 19% in opponents’ slugging percentage, and the top 16% in expected fielding independent pitching.

There are a few Chicago White Sox players that can win Most Valuable Player.

Nobody in the American League stood a chance. Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes making him a unanimous MVP. The Chicago White Sox are loaded with talent. There are plenty of names on the roster that can make a run at MVP in 2022. Here are three Chicago White Sox players that can dethrone Ohtani as MVP: