Shohei Ohtani Aaron Judge
Shohei Ohtani Aaron Judge Source: MLB.com

Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are the two biggest names in the game right now. They are the most dominant players in the modern era of the league. Albeit, Sho-Time is a Japanese sensation, he has already become the most prominent face in North American sports. On the other hand, the captain of the New York Yankees is a California native. However, he has already become the favorite son of the Bronx. That’s how valuable these players have been for their respective teams. The Two-way superstar has not left Los Angeles since he made his debut in MLB. He will play for the LA Dodgers in the next ten years. Will he be able to pitch again?

That’s something a lot of baseball fans are wondering about. But he is already making a mark as the Designated Hitter of the Dodgers. On the other hand, Aaron Judge is again a top favorite to win this year’s American League MVP. Lately, the two giants of the game battled it out in Yankee Stadium as the LA Dodgers came to the Bronx for the first time in eight years. Ohtani had the last laugh as the LA side beat the home team to win the series 2-1. Later, both Judge and Ohtani heaped praise on each other.

   

Aaron Judge Praised Shohei Ohtani For His Speed

Shohei Ohtani Aaron Judge
Shohei Ohtani Aaron Judge Source: ESPN

The Yankees captain turned things around in May after a slow start in April. Now, he has already hit the most home runs so far this season. It has been a great comeback by a true Yankees great. Lately, the NY side hosted a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The visitors have not played at the Yankee Stadium since 2016. But this visit after eight years was fruitful for them as they went on to win the three-game series. Moreover, this series had a playoff vibe because the top two contenders faced off against each other. On top of that, they had the biggest names playing in the series. Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have a lot of admiration for each other. Lately, Aaron Judge has heaped praise on the Japanese sensation.

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On Sunday, there was a moment he could throw out Ohtani, but the DH of the Dodgers slid in safe because of his terrific speed. Talking about Ohtani in the post-game interview, Aaron Judge mentioned that he is so fast. Moreover, the Yankees captain added that Ohtani is an impressive athlete who hit the ball all over the park. Talking about Ohtani’s pitching, Judge says, “When he is right, he throws, does his thing.” Then, talking about the moment in Game 3, the California native mentioned that the Unicorn can tag up from third even on a short throw. Clearly, Aaron Judge agrees, “Shohei is the best player out there.”

The Japanese Sensation Had Expressed His Admiration On The Yankees Captain, Too

Shohei Ohtani Team Japan
Shohei Ohtani Team Japan Source: CBS Sports

After the 2-1 series win against the NY side, Shohei Ohtani said in an ESPN interview that he likes the fact that Aaron Judge takes a swing every chance he gets. That is something Ohtani feels he can learn a lot from. Moreover, the Unicorn heaped praise on the Yankees captain, saying, “He is so big.”

Both these modern-day greats have a lot of admiration for one another. But the MLB Player Poll of The Athletic agrees with Aaron Judge that Ohtani is the best player out there. The Dodger’s DH got 46% of the votes. Besides Ohtani, other players voted for Ronald Acuna Jr. with 26.5%, Mookie Betts and Aaron Judge got 8% each. 

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