Silver Slugger Award

Summary

The Silver Slugger Award has been awarded annually since 1980 to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball.

Silver Slugger Award
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo holds Ryan Zimmerman's Silver Slugger Award.
SportBaseball
LeagueMajor League Baseball
Awarded forBest offensive player at each position in the American League and National League
Presented byHillerich & Bradsby
History
First award1980

These voters consider several offensive statistics, including batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, as well as their "general impressions of a player's overall offensive value".[1] They are not permitted to vote for players on their team.[1]

The award is a bat-shaped trophy, three feet (91 cm) tall, engraved with the names of each of the winners from the league[1] and plated with sterling silver.[2] It is given by Hillerich & Bradsby, the manufacturer of Louisville Slugger bats.[3]

Ten Silver Slugger Awards are given each year per league. One each goes to a catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Three outfielders receive the award, irrespective of their specific position;[4][5] for instance, three left fielders could win the award in a given year. One award goes to a designated hitter (a player who bats in place of the pitcher) and one to a utility player (a player who can play multiple fielding positions).[6][7][8]

Pitchers in the National League received a Silver Slugger Award each year until 2019 and in 2021. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, MLB allowed National League teams to use a designated hitter, so an NL DH received a Silver Slugger Award for the first time.[9] In 2022, MLB permanently allowed both leagues to use the DH. That year also saw the introduction of the Utility Player Award.

Home run record-holder Barry Bonds[10] won 12 Silver Slugger Awards, the most of any player,[5][11] and won the award in five consecutive seasons twice: from 1990 to 1994, and again from 2000 to 2004. Mike Piazza and Alex Rodriguez are tied for second, with ten each.[4][5] Piazza is also the winningest catcher, having won all ten playing at the position. Rodriguez won seven Silver Sluggers as a shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, and three with the Yankees as a third baseman.[12] Wade Boggs leads third basemen with eight awards;[4][13] Barry Larkin leads shortstops with nine.[5][14] Other leaders include Ryne Sandberg (seven wins as a second baseman),[5][15] Mike Hampton (five wins as a pitcher),[5][16] and Paul Goldschmidt (five wins as a first baseman).[17] David Ortiz has won seven awards as a designated hitter, the most at that position.[18] In 2018, J. D. Martinez collected two Silver Slugger Awards: one as a designated hitter and the other as an outfielder, becoming the only player to win twice in one year. In 2021, Max Fried became the final pitcher to win a Silver Slugger Award.

Key edit

 
Barry Bonds (in white uniform) has won the most Silver Slugger Awards of any player, 12.
Year Links to the corresponding Major League Baseball season
1B First baseman (list of winners)
2B Second baseman (list of winners)
3B Third baseman (list of winners)
SS Shortstop (list of winners)
OF Outfielder (list of winners)
C Catcher (list of winners)
P Pitcher (list of winners)
DH Designated hitter (list of winners)
UT Utility player
* Winner of the most Silver Slugger Awards at his position (* indicates tie)
Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

American League winners edit

Year 1B 2B 3B SS OF OF OF C DH UT
1980 Cecil Cooper Willie Randolph George Brett Robin Yount Ben Oglivie Al Oliver Willie Wilson Lance Parrish Reggie Jackson N/A
1981 Cecil Cooper Bobby Grich Carney Lansford Rick Burleson Rickey Henderson Dave Winfield Dwight Evans Carlton Fisk Al Oliver N/A
1982 Cecil Cooper Dámaso García Doug DeCinces Robin Yount Reggie Jackson Dave Winfield Willie Wilson Lance Parrish Hal McRae N/A
1983 Eddie Murray Lou Whitaker Wade Boggs Cal Ripken Jr. Jim Rice Dave Winfield Lloyd Moseby Lance Parrish Don Baylor N/A
1984 Eddie Murray Lou Whitaker Buddy Bell Cal Ripken Jr. Jim Rice Dave Winfield Tony Armas Lance Parrish Andre Thornton N/A
1985 Don Mattingly Lou Whitaker George Brett Cal Ripken Jr. Rickey Henderson Dave Winfield George Bell Carlton Fisk Don Baylor N/A
1986 Don Mattingly Frank White Wade Boggs Cal Ripken Jr. Jesse Barfield Kirby Puckett George Bell Lance Parrish Don Baylor N/A
1987 Don Mattingly Lou Whitaker Wade Boggs Alan Trammell Dwight Evans Kirby Puckett George Bell Matt Nokes Paul Molitor N/A
1988 George Brett Julio Franco Wade Boggs Alan Trammell Mike Greenwell Kirby Puckett Jose Canseco Carlton Fisk Paul Molitor N/A
1989 Fred McGriff Julio Franco Wade Boggs Cal Ripken Jr. Rubén Sierra Kirby Puckett Robin Yount Mickey Tettleton Harold Baines N/A
1990 Cecil Fielder Julio Franco Kelly Gruber Alan Trammell Rickey Henderson Ellis Burks Jose Canseco Lance Parrish Dave Parker N/A
1991 Cecil Fielder Julio Franco Wade Boggs Cal Ripken Jr. Joe Carter Ken Griffey Jr. Jose Canseco Mickey Tettleton Frank Thomas N/A
1992 Mark McGwire Roberto Alomar Edgar Martínez Travis Fryman Joe Carter Kirby Puckett Juan González Mickey Tettleton Dave Winfield N/A
1993 Frank Thomas Carlos Baerga Wade Boggs Cal Ripken Jr. Albert Belle Ken Griffey Jr. Juan González Mike Stanley Paul Molitor N/A
1994 Frank Thomas Carlos Baerga Wade Boggs Cal Ripken Jr. Albert Belle Ken Griffey Jr. Kirby Puckett Iván Rodríguez Julio Franco N/A
1995 Mo Vaughn Chuck Knoblauch Gary Gaetti John Valentin Albert Belle Tim Salmon Manny Ramirez Iván Rodríguez Edgar Martínez N/A
1996 Mark McGwire Roberto Alomar Jim Thome Alex Rodriguez Albert Belle Ken Griffey Jr. Juan González Iván Rodríguez Paul Molitor N/A
1997 Tino Martinez Chuck Knoblauch Matt Williams Nomar Garciaparra David Justice Ken Griffey Jr. Juan González Iván Rodríguez Edgar Martínez N/A
1998 Rafael Palmeiro Damion Easley Dean Palmer Alex Rodriguez Albert Belle Ken Griffey Jr. Juan González Iván Rodríguez Jose Canseco N/A
1999 Carlos Delgado Roberto Alomar Dean Palmer Alex Rodriguez Shawn Green Ken Griffey Jr. Manny Ramirez Iván Rodríguez Rafael Palmeiro N/A
2000 Carlos Delgado Roberto Alomar Troy Glaus Alex Rodriguez Darin Erstad Magglio Ordóñez Manny Ramirez Jorge Posada Frank Thomas N/A
2001 Jason Giambi Bret Boone Troy Glaus Alex Rodriguez Ichiro Suzuki Juan González Manny Ramirez Jorge Posada Edgar Martínez N/A
2002 Jason Giambi Alfonso Soriano Eric Chavez Alex Rodriguez Garret Anderson Magglio Ordóñez Bernie Williams Jorge Posada Manny Ramirez N/A
2003 Carlos Delgado Bret Boone Bill Mueller Alex Rodriguez Garret Anderson Vernon Wells Manny Ramirez Jorge Posada Edgar Martínez N/A
2004 Mark Teixeira Alfonso Soriano Melvin Mora Miguel Tejada Gary Sheffield Vladimir Guerrero Manny Ramirez Víctor Martínez &
Iván Rodríguez
David Ortiz N/A
2005 Mark Teixeira Alfonso Soriano Alex Rodriguez Miguel Tejada Gary Sheffield Vladimir Guerrero Manny Ramirez Jason Varitek David Ortiz N/A
2006 Justin Morneau Robinson Canó Joe Crede Derek Jeter Jermaine Dye Vladimir Guerrero Manny Ramirez Joe Mauer David Ortiz N/A
2007 Carlos Peña Plácido Polanco Alex Rodriguez Derek Jeter Magglio Ordóñez Vladimir Guerrero Ichiro Suzuki Jorge Posada David Ortiz N/A
2008 Justin Morneau Dustin Pedroia Alex Rodriguez Derek Jeter Josh Hamilton Carlos Quentin Grady Sizemore Joe Mauer Aubrey Huff N/A
2009 Mark Teixeira Aaron Hill Evan Longoria Derek Jeter Jason Bay Torii Hunter Ichiro Suzuki Joe Mauer Adam Lind N/A
2010 Miguel Cabrera Robinson Canó Adrián Beltré Alexei Ramírez Josh Hamilton Carl Crawford José Bautista Joe Mauer Vladimir Guerrero N/A
2011 Adrián González Robinson Canó Adrián Beltré Asdrúbal Cabrera Jacoby Ellsbury Curtis Granderson José Bautista Alex Avila David Ortiz N/A
2012 Prince Fielder Robinson Canó Miguel Cabrera Derek Jeter Josh Hamilton Mike Trout Josh Willingham A. J. Pierzynski Billy Butler N/A
2013 Chris Davis Robinson Canó Miguel Cabrera J. J. Hardy Torii Hunter Mike Trout Adam Jones Joe Mauer David Ortiz N/A
2014 José Abreu José Altuve Adrián Beltré Alexei Ramírez José Bautista Mike Trout Michael Brantley Yan Gomes Víctor Martínez N/A
2015 Miguel Cabrera José Altuve Josh Donaldson Xander Bogaerts Nelson Cruz Mike Trout J. D. Martinez Brian McCann Kendrys Morales N/A
2016 Miguel Cabrera José Altuve Josh Donaldson Xander Bogaerts Mookie Betts Mike Trout Mark Trumbo Salvador Pérez David Ortiz N/A
2017 Eric Hosmer José Altuve José Ramírez Francisco Lindor Aaron Judge Justin Upton George Springer Gary Sánchez Nelson Cruz N/A
2018 José Abreu José Altuve José Ramírez Francisco Lindor Mookie Betts Mike Trout J. D. Martinez Salvador Pérez J. D. Martinez N/A
2019 Carlos Santana DJ LeMahieu Alex Bregman Xander Bogaerts Mookie Betts Mike Trout George Springer Mitch Garver Nelson Cruz N/A
2020 José Abreu DJ LeMahieu José Ramírez Tim Anderson Eloy Jiménez Mike Trout Teoscar Hernández Salvador Pérez Nelson Cruz N/A
2021 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Marcus Semien Rafael Devers Xander Bogaerts Teoscar Hernández Cedric Mullins Aaron Judge Salvador Pérez Shohei Ohtani N/A
2022 Nathaniel Lowe José Altuve José Ramírez Xander Bogaerts Aaron Judge Julio Rodríguez Mike Trout Alejandro Kirk Yordan Alvarez Luis Arráez
2023 Yandy Díaz Marcus Semien Rafael Devers Corey Seager Luis Robert Jr. Julio Rodríguez Kyle Tucker Adley Rutschman Shohei Ohtani Gunnar Henderson

Source:[19]

National League winners edit

Year 1B 2B 3B SS OF OF OF C P DH^ UT
1980 Keith Hernandez Manny Trillo Mike Schmidt Garry Templeton Dusty Baker Andre Dawson George Hendrick Ted Simmons Bob Forsch N/A N/A
1981 Pete Rose Manny Trillo Mike Schmidt Dave Concepción Dusty Baker Andre Dawson George Foster Gary Carter Fernando Valenzuela N/A N/A
1982 Al Oliver Joe Morgan Mike Schmidt Dave Concepción Dale Murphy Pedro Guerrero Leon Durham Gary Carter Don Robinson N/A N/A
1983 George Hendrick Johnny Ray Mike Schmidt Dickie Thon Dale Murphy Andre Dawson José Cruz Terry Kennedy Fernando Valenzuela N/A N/A
1984 Keith Hernandez Ryne Sandberg Mike Schmidt Garry Templeton Dale Murphy Tony Gwynn José Cruz Gary Carter Rick Rhoden N/A N/A
1985 Jack Clark Ryne Sandberg Tim Wallach Hubie Brooks Dale Murphy Willie McGee Dave Parker Gary Carter Rick Rhoden N/A N/A
1986 Glenn Davis Steve Sax Mike Schmidt Hubie Brooks Tim Raines Tony Gwynn Dave Parker Gary Carter Rick Rhoden N/A N/A
1987 Jack Clark Juan Samuel Tim Wallach Ozzie Smith Andre Dawson Tony Gwynn Eric Davis Benito Santiago Bob Forsch N/A N/A
1988 Andrés Galarraga Ryne Sandberg Bobby Bonilla Barry Larkin Darryl Strawberry Kirk Gibson Andy Van Slyke Benito Santiago Tim Leary N/A N/A
1989 Will Clark Ryne Sandberg Howard Johnson Barry Larkin Kevin Mitchell Tony Gwynn Eric Davis Craig Biggio Don Robinson N/A N/A
1990 Eddie Murray Ryne Sandberg Matt Williams Barry Larkin Barry Bonds Bobby Bonilla Darryl Strawberry Benito Santiago Don Robinson N/A N/A
1991 Will Clark Ryne Sandberg Howard Johnson Barry Larkin Barry Bonds Bobby Bonilla Ron Gant Benito Santiago Tom Glavine N/A N/A
1992 Fred McGriff Ryne Sandberg Gary Sheffield Barry Larkin Barry Bonds Larry Walker Andy Van Slyke Darren Daulton Dwight Gooden N/A N/A
1993 Fred McGriff Robby Thompson Matt Williams Jay Bell Barry Bonds Lenny Dykstra David Justice Mike Piazza Orel Hershiser N/A N/A
1994 Jeff Bagwell Craig Biggio Matt Williams Wil Cordero Barry Bonds Tony Gwynn Moisés Alou Mike Piazza Mark Portugal N/A N/A
1995 Eric Karros Craig Biggio Vinny Castilla Barry Larkin Sammy Sosa Tony Gwynn Dante Bichette Mike Piazza Tom Glavine N/A N/A
1996 Andrés Galarraga Eric Young Ken Caminiti Barry Larkin Barry Bonds Gary Sheffield Ellis Burks Mike Piazza Tom Glavine N/A N/A
1997 Jeff Bagwell Craig Biggio Vinny Castilla Jeff Blauser Barry Bonds Tony Gwynn Larry Walker Mike Piazza John Smoltz N/A N/A
1998 Mark McGwire Craig Biggio Vinny Castilla Barry Larkin Sammy Sosa Greg Vaughn Moisés Alou Mike Piazza Tom Glavine N/A N/A
1999 Jeff Bagwell Edgardo Alfonzo Chipper Jones Barry Larkin Sammy Sosa Vladimir Guerrero Larry Walker Mike Piazza Mike Hampton N/A N/A
2000 Todd Helton Jeff Kent Chipper Jones Édgar Rentería Barry Bonds Vladimir Guerrero Sammy Sosa Mike Piazza Mike Hampton N/A N/A
2001 Todd Helton Jeff Kent Albert Pujols Rich Aurilia Barry Bonds Luis Gonzalez Sammy Sosa Mike Piazza Mike Hampton N/A N/A
2002 Todd Helton Jeff Kent Scott Rolen Édgar Rentería Barry Bonds Vladimir Guerrero Sammy Sosa Mike Piazza Mike Hampton N/A N/A
2003 Todd Helton José Vidro Mike Lowell Édgar Rentería Barry Bonds Gary Sheffield Albert Pujols Javy López Mike Hampton N/A N/A
2004 Albert Pujols Mark Loretta Adrián Beltré Jack Wilson Barry Bonds Jim Edmonds Bobby Abreu Johnny Estrada Liván Hernández N/A N/A
2005 Derrek Lee Jeff Kent Morgan Ensberg Felipe López Andruw Jones Miguel Cabrera Carlos Lee Michael Barrett Jason Marquis N/A N/A
2006 Ryan Howard Chase Utley Miguel Cabrera José Reyes Carlos Beltrán Matt Holliday Alfonso Soriano Brian McCann Carlos Zambrano N/A N/A
2007 Prince Fielder Chase Utley David Wright Jimmy Rollins Carlos Beltrán Matt Holliday Carlos Lee Russell Martin Micah Owings N/A N/A
2008 Albert Pujols Chase Utley David Wright Hanley Ramírez Ryan Ludwick Matt Holliday Ryan Braun Brian McCann Carlos Zambrano N/A N/A
2009 Albert Pujols Chase Utley Ryan Zimmerman Hanley Ramírez Matt Kemp Andre Ethier Ryan Braun Brian McCann Carlos Zambrano N/A N/A
2010 Albert Pujols Dan Uggla Ryan Zimmerman Troy Tulowitzki Carlos González Matt Holliday Ryan Braun Brian McCann Yovani Gallardo N/A N/A
2011 Prince Fielder Brandon Phillips Aramis Ramírez Troy Tulowitzki Matt Kemp Justin Upton Ryan Braun Brian McCann Daniel Hudson N/A N/A
2012 Adam LaRoche Aaron Hill Chase Headley Ian Desmond Andrew McCutchen Jay Bruce Ryan Braun Buster Posey Stephen Strasburg N/A N/A
2013 Paul Goldschmidt Matt Carpenter Pedro Álvarez Ian Desmond Andrew McCutchen Jay Bruce Michael Cuddyer Yadier Molina Zack Greinke N/A N/A
2014 Adrián González Neil Walker Anthony Rendon Ian Desmond Andrew McCutchen Giancarlo Stanton Justin Upton Buster Posey Madison Bumgarner N/A N/A
2015 Paul Goldschmidt Dee Gordon Nolan Arenado Brandon Crawford Andrew McCutchen Bryce Harper Carlos González Buster Posey Madison Bumgarner N/A N/A
2016 Anthony Rizzo Daniel Murphy Nolan Arenado Corey Seager Charlie Blackmon Yoenis Céspedes Christian Yelich Wilson Ramos Jake Arrieta N/A N/A
2017 Paul Goldschmidt Daniel Murphy Nolan Arenado Corey Seager Charlie Blackmon Giancarlo Stanton Marcell Ozuna Buster Posey Adam Wainwright N/A N/A
2018 Paul Goldschmidt Javier Báez Nolan Arenado Trevor Story Nick Markakis David Peralta Christian Yelich J. T. Realmuto Germán Márquez N/A N/A
2019 Freddie Freeman Ozzie Albies Anthony Rendon Trevor Story Ronald Acuña Jr. Cody Bellinger Christian Yelich J. T. Realmuto Zack Greinke N/A N/A
2020 Freddie Freeman Donovan Solano Manny Machado Fernando Tatís Jr. Juan Soto Ronald Acuña Jr. Mookie Betts Travis d'Arnaud N/A Marcell Ozuna N/A
2021 Freddie Freeman Ozzie Albies Austin Riley Fernando Tatís Jr. Juan Soto Bryce Harper Nick Castellanos Buster Posey Max Fried N/A N/A
2022 Paul Goldschmidt Jeff McNeil Nolan Arenado Trea Turner Kyle Schwarber Mookie Betts Juan Soto J.T. Realmuto N/A Josh Bell Brandon Drury
2023 Matt Olson Luis Arráez Austin Riley Francisco Lindor Ronald Acuña Jr. Mookie Betts Juan Soto William Contreras N/A Bryce Harper Cody Bellinger

Source:[19]

(^) = A universal designated hitter rule was implemented temporarily during the 2020 MLB season and was fully implemented starting in 2022; the National League awarded its first Silver Slugger for DH in 2020. No award for pitchers was given.

See also edit

Baseball awards § United States

References edit

  1. ^ a b c McCalvy, Adam (November 13, 2008). "Braun nets first Silver Slugger Award". Brewers.MLB.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  2. ^ "What are the Silver Bat and Silver Slugger Team Awards?". Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
  3. ^ "Louisville Slugger — The Silver Slugger Awards". Louisville Slugger. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c "Silver Slugger Award Winners — American League". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Silver Slugger Award Winners — National League". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  6. ^ "Everything you need to know about '22 season". MLB.com. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  7. ^ "Versatility rewarded: Silver Slugger added for utility players". MLB.com. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
  8. ^ "Official Rules: 6.00 The Batter". Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  9. ^ "Here are this year's Silver Slugger winners". MLB.com. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Embattled Bonds' urine sample tested positive, report". Google News. Agence France-Presse. February 3, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  11. ^ "Barry Bonds Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  12. ^ "Alex Rodriguez Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  13. ^ "Wade Boggs Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  14. ^ "Barry Larkin Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  15. ^ "Ryne Sandberg Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  16. ^ "Mike Hampton Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  17. ^ "Paul Goldschmidt Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  18. ^ "David Ortiz Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  19. ^ a b "Silver Slugger Award". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved November 14, 2020.

External links edit