“I will be the dark horse of the MVP candidate.”
On the 20th (hereinafter Korean time), nearly two months after the start of the 2023 season, MLB.com selected the best 10 free agents outside the 2022-2023 offseason. Masataka Yoshida, who wore a Boston Red Sox uniform for 5 years and 90 million dollars (approximately 119.6 billion won), was selected in ninth place.
In 37 games this season, Yoshida is 43 hits in 144 at-bats with a batting average of 0.299, 6 homers, 28 RBIs, 26 runs, an on-base percentage of 0.378, a slugging percentage of 0.493, and an OPS of 0.871. In particular, in May, he has a batting average of 0.333, 2 homers, 12 RBIs, 11 runs, and an OPS of 0.931. From the Minnesota Twins game on April 21st to the Philadelphia Phillies game on the 8th, he recorded 16 hits in a row.
On the 20th (Korean time), the San Diego Padres had 1 hit in 4 at-bats. Same performance as Kim Ha-seong, who came out as third baseman at No. 2 in San Diego. Yoshida won by decision as Boston won 6-1. 11th in batting average and 12th in on-base percentage in the American League this season.
Along with Rafael Devers, Alex Verdugo, and Justin Turner, Yoshida quickly became a key Boston outfielder. It clearly shows that the WBC RBI leader is not a coincidence. He is the Asian big leaguer who shows the most obvious impact next to Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels) this season.
MLB.com said, “Yoshida was an elite contact hitter and on-base machine in Japan. Now he’s the elite contact hitter and on-base machine in the majors. He is one of nine left-handed outfielders who have walked more than struck out this season. He is a top 25 hitter in batting average and on-base percentage, and a top 40 hitter in slugging percentage and OPS. It’s a really good contract.”먹튀검증
Even MLB.com said, “Perhaps Yoshida will be the dark horse for the MVP candidate.” There is no law telling us not to do so if we continue our current pace. It can be said that it is a contract with Boston. Of course, at this point, the player who dominates the American League MVP race is Ohtani.
The 2022-2023 external FA best 1st to 8th places selected by MLB.com are Sean Murphy (Atlanta Braves), Nathan Eboldi (Texas Rangers), Brant Rooker (Oakland Athletics), Luis Ararez (Miami Marlins), Kevin Kiermeyer ( Toronto Blue Jays), Dansby Swanson (Chicago Cubs), Zander Bogarts (San Diego Padres), Joey Gallo (Minnesota Twins). 10th place is Hunter Renfro (LA Angels).