Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for the 2026 Hank Aaron Award, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers star another chance to add to his growing list of postseason accolades. Ohtani has won a Hank Aaron Award each of the past three seasons, but he faces a deeper field this time.
The award recognizes the top regular-season offensive performer in each league. Ohtani is one of 10 National League finalists, with the winner scheduled to be announced Nov. 11 in Las Vegas.
The announcement comes while Ohtani and the Dodgers are focused on the NLDS. Los Angeles split the first two games of its series with the Atlanta Braves, with the Braves winning 3-2 on Sunday to even the series before Game 3 in Atlanta.
Ohtani’s regular-season production kept him firmly in the award conversation. He finished with a .275 batting average, .377 on-base percentage and .512 slugging percentage while hitting 30 home runs, driving in 81 runs and stealing 11 bases over 135 games.
The Dodgers also finished the regular season with a 100-62 record, winning the NL West by nine games over the San Diego Padres. Their pitching staff posted a 3.55 ERA, while the club earned the No. 2 seed in the National League and advanced directly to the NLDS.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Ohtani’s award candidacy now comes alongside a postseason challenge. The Dodgers opened the NLDS with a 5-3 victory before Atlanta responded in Game 2, leaving the series tied as it shifts to Truist Park.
Ohtani will have another opportunity to influence the series as the Dodgers try to regain the advantage. His Hank Aaron Award candidacy will remain a separate regular-season honor, with voting continuing through Oct. 12 and the winner to be announced in November.
