Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Bryce Harper was named National League Player of the Month for June, which came as somewhat of a surprise considering how Shohei Ohtani performed.
Yes, Harper put together a terrific month in his own right by batting .374/.452/.714 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 16 RBI over 23 games. Harper’s prolific performance helped the Phillies maintain the best record in the NL, ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The two-time MVP additionally finished the month of June on a 12-game hitting streak.
However, Ohtani’s stats during June were certainly comparable, if not superior in some areas. He hit .293/.413/.697 with four doubles, 12 home runs, 24 RBI and three stolen bases while starting in each of the Dodgers’ 26 games. During the month the 29-year-old was also named NL Player of the Week for June 17-23.
The month of June included Ohtani breaking the Dodgers franchise record with a streak of 10 games in a row with at least one RBI.
Manager Dave Roberts has regularly praised the superstar and recently said he didn’t believe anyone was performing at a better level. While Ohtani has enjoyed a plenty successful first season with the Dodgers, his contributions became all the more paramount in the time since Mookie Betts suffered a fractured left hand.
Betts was named NL Player of the Month for March/April as he got off to a blistering start. He’s the only Dodgers player to receive the honor so far this season.
Ohtani previously was named American League Player of the Month four times: June and July 2021, and again in June and July 2023 while with the Los Angeles Angels.
Shohei Ohtani skipping Home Run Derby
While Ohtani is a virtual lock to be in the NL lineup for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, he also expressed an interest in participating in the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field.
Ohtani has only been in one Home Run Derby during his career, in 2021, when he became the first pitcher to ever participate in the event.
Roberts was open to the possibility but admitted the Dodgers’ preference was that Ohtani skip the Home Run Derby this year due to his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani revealed on Tuesday night that he is not expecting to participate in the Derby.
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