Photo via Yahoo Sports

Shohei Ohtani, Hank Aaron Award finalist, still searching at the plate

Shohei Ohtani remains a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award despite a sluggish offensive season, marking his fourth consecutive year among the top offensive players in baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way star has struggled to regain his form since returning from an injured list stint on September 23, posting just seven hits—including one double—in 29 at-bats and a dismal .160 batting average over 94 plate appearances since August 18, when he last hit a home run.

His recent playoff performance has been similarly underwhelming, with two singles in eight at-bats during the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, while his plate discipline has been a concern, including seven swings at pitches outside the zone in a single game. Ohtani, who has battled left knee inflammation and a right biceps injury, acknowledged his physical limitations, stating he is still working to identify the root causes of his issues, which he plans to address during the offseason.

Manager Dave Roberts has noted Ohtani’s need to improve his strike-zone approach, a challenge that has persisted even after a brief respite during the bye week.

Up nextMLB· 8h ago

Do Dodgers have a Shohei Ohtani problem? MVP becomes issue, not answer, in NLDS