NEW YORK -- Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani became the third Japanese player in major league history to win a monthly MVP award when he was named the American League's top position player for June on Friday.
The 26-year-old Ohtani, who has thrilled fans with his power at the plate and skills on the mound, hit a league-high 13 home runs in 25 games in June, while batting .309 with 23 RBIs and four stolen bases.
In winning the award for the first time in his fourth major-league season, Ohtani joins Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui as Japanese recipients. Suzuki was the monthly MVP in August 2004 for the Seattle Mariners and Matsui did it in July 2007 while with the New York Yankees.
While Ohtani was honored for his exploits at the plate, he also shined as a pitcher, going 2-0 with a 4.94 earned run average in five starts, striking out 33 in 23-2/3 innings.
"I felt like I wasn't doing well in the beginning, but then I gradually got into a groove in the latter half," Ohtani said in an online press conference prior to Friday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, in which he hit two more home runs.
Ohtani said he was looking forward to his first appearance in the All-Star Game on July 13, for which he was selected as the starting AL designated hitter.
"It gives me a chance to see the top players during the game, which will definitely be a plus for me," Ohtani said.
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