Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr voted by MLB peers as player of the year and NL’s outstanding player, with two-way Angels star Shohei Ohtani picking up AL prize

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was voted Player of the Year and Best Player in the National League by his fellow major leaguers at the MLB Players Association’s annual Players Choice Awards.

LA Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani was named the American League’s best player, the league said Thursday.

Acuña became the first player with 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in a season, hitting .337 with 41 home runs, 106 RBIs and 73 stolen bases. No player has previously had 40 home runs and 50 steals in a season.

Ohtani hit .304 with 44 home runs, 95 RBIs and 20 stolen bases and went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.

His pitching season ended on August 23 due to a torn elbow ligament, an injury that will keep him off the mound until 2025. His batting season ended on September 3 due to an oblique strain.

Ohtani is expected to be the top player on the free agent market.

Marcus Semien, the second baseman for the World Series champion Texas Rangers, won his second Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, given to a player whose leadership inspires others. Semien, who also received the award in 2021, is a member of the union’s eight-member executive subcommittee.

Former outfielder Phil Bradley received the Curt Flood Award for advancing player rights and dedication to the association. Bradley is a special union assistant for international and domestic special events.

Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees was selected as the AL’s outstanding pitcher and Blake Snell of San Diego as the NL’s outstanding pitcher.

Comeback players included Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger in the NL and Chicago White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks in the AL.

Standout rookies included Arizona outfielder Corbin Carroll in the NL and Baltimore infielder Gunnar Henderson in the AL.