ANAHEIM – Shohei Ohtani today was named the recipient of a 2021 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award, which is given to the best offensive players at each position in both the American and National Leagues. The award, which has been presented annually since 1980, is Ohtani’s first and the 26th overall for the Angels.

Ohtani becomes the first Angels player to win a Silver Slugger as a designated hitter and the first non-outfielder since Troy Glaus (3B) in 2001. He also joins Ichiro Suzuki (2001, ’07, ’09) as the only Japanese-born players to win a Silver Slugger Award.

As a hitter, Ohtani ranked in the Top 10 in the American League in triples (8; 1st), extra-base hits (80; 2nd), slugging (.592; 2nd), OPS (.965; 2nd), home runs (46; 3rd), walks (96; 3rd), total bases (318; T4th), stolen bases (26; 5th), OBP (.372; 5th) and runs scored (103; 8th). Ohtani became the first player in MLB history with 45+ HR, 25+ SB and 5+ triples in a season. Additionally, his 46 home runs were the second-highest single season total in Angels history and established a new MLB record for a Japanese-born player.

The Angels have now won a Silver Slugger Award in 10 consecutive seasons, which is the longest streak in franchise history. The Halos 26 overall Silver Sluggers include 19 by outfielders, three by third basemen, and one each at catcher, second base, shortstop and designated hitter.

Ohtani will receive his Silver Slugger Award in an on-field ceremony during the 2022 season.

The Silver Slugger Award winners were determined by a vote of MLB managers and coaches who select the players they felt were the best offensive producers at each position in their league in 2021. Selections were based on a combination of offensive statistics, as well as the general impressions of a player’s overall offensive value. Managers and coaches were not allowed to vote for players on their own teams.