Ohtani, Acuna top 2018 MLB rookies

NEW YORK — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was a singular sensation in voting for American League Rookie of the Year.

Ohtani, a standout on the mound and at the plate for the Los Angeles Angels, was an overwhelming pick for the AL award after becoming the first player since Babe Ruth a century ago with 10 homers and four pitching wins in the same season. Atlanta Braves outfielder

Ronald Acuna Jr. was a runaway pick for the NL honor.

Ohtani, a 24-year-old righthander who joined the Angels last winter after five seasons with Japan’s Nippon Ham Fighters, received 25 first-place votes and four seconds for 137 points from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in balloting announced Monday.

Ohtani was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 512⁄3 innings in 10 starts, limited by a torn elbow ligament that required surgery on Oct. 1 and likely will prevent him from pitching next year. As a designated hitter, he batted .285 with 22 homers and 61 RBIs and a .925 OPS in 367 plate appearances. He became the first player with 15 homers as a batter and 50 strikeouts as a pitcher in the same season.

Acuna, 20, started the season at Class AAA and made his debut on April 25 — the youngest player in the majors then at 20 years, 128 days. The Venezuelan hit .293 with 26 homers, 64 RBIs and 16 steals with a .917 OPS.