X

    MLB Silver Slugger Awards 2018: AL and NL Winners and Twitter Reaction

    Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistNovember 9, 2018

    Boston Red Sox's Mookie Betts hits a single during the third inning of Game 2 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
    David J. Phillip/Associated Press

    The Silver Slugger awards were handed out Thursday, with a number of MVP candidates highlighting the list. Below, we'll go through the winners and break down the reaction from around baseball. 

                  

    American League Winners

    Outfielders: Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox; Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels; J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox

    First Base: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox

    Second Base: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

    Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, Cleveland

    Third Base: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland

    Catcher: Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals

    Designated Hitter: J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox

               

    Reaction

    There weren't any surprises in the outfield, with Betts the front-runner for the American League MVP and Trout one of the three finalists. Betts led the AL with a .346 average and added 32 homers, 80 RBI, 129 runs and 30 stolen bases, while Trout provided another vintage season (.312 average with 39 homers and 79 RBI).

    Louisville Slugger @sluggernation

    After leading @MLB in batting average, @RedSox OF @mookiebetts takes home his second career #SilverSlugger. https://t.co/uCwmhLvl6y

    Louisville Slugger @sluggernation

    #SilverSlugger number SIX for @Angels OF @MikeTrout! This guy makes it look easy. What a star. https://t.co/k9ota5LScn

    Martinez was arguably snubbed in the MVP voting, as he wasn't a finalist, though he was an obvious choice for a Silver Slugger award after finishing second in the AL in batting average (.330), second in homers (43) and first in RBI (130).

    He also became the first player in MLB history to win two different Silver Slugger awards in a season.

    Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo

    Wait, J.D. Martinez was so good that they gave him two Silver Sluggers. Outfield and DH.

    MLB Silver Slugger Awards 2018: AL and NL Winners and Twitter Reaction
    Video Play Button
    ✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Right Arrow Icon
    Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo

    J.D. Martinez is the first player ever to win two Silver Sluggers in the same year. I didn't know that was possible.

    Brandon Wile @Brandon_N_Wile

    J.D. Martinez winning two Silver Sluggers in the same season is pretty dumb and awesome

    Altuve keeps collecting the Silver Sluggers, winning the award for the fifth time. Only Ryne Sandberg (seven) has more at second base. Lindor is starting to make winning the award a habit himself, taking it home for the second straight year after blasting 38 home runs and tying Betts for the most runs scored in the AL (129).

    Perez, meanwhile, took home his second Silver Slugger award:

    Kansas City Royals @Royals

    Salvy’s going to need a bigger trophy case. 🏆 👏 Congrats on your 2nd career Silver Slugger Award! #RaisedRoyal https://t.co/I9UqQV89t8

    And then there's the left side of Cleveland's infield, where Lindor and Ramirez led Cleveland back to the postseason. Ramirez is also an MVP finalist after an epic season in which he hit 39 homers and accumulated 105 RBI. 

                                

    National League Winners

    Outfielders: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers; David Peralta, Arizona Diamondbacks; Nick Markakis, Atlanta Braves

    First Base: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks 

    Second Base: Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs

    Shortstop: Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies

    Third Base: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies

    Catcher: J.T. Realmuto, Miami Marlins

    Pitcher: German Marquez, Colorado Rockies

               

    Reaction

    Yelich is a finalist for the NL MVP after leading the league with a .326 average to go along with 36 homers and 110 RBI, so he was an easy choice for a Silver Slugger.

    Markakis, meanwhile, was one of the feel-good stories in baseball after a career year for the Braves:

    MLB Network @MLBNetwork

    2,237 career hits. And now Nick Markakis has his first career #SilverSlugger Award. https://t.co/uHRF9j5zT4

    Kelsey Wingert @KelsWingert

    The awards keep piling up for #Braves Nick Markakis who just picked up his first career Silver Slugger Award. It will look really nice next to his third career Gold Glove and jersey from his first career All-Star Game this year.

    If Yelich is the front-runner for MVP, Baez is nipping on his heels after leading the NL with 111 RBI to go along with a .290 average and 34 home runs. He's generally more praised for his elite defense, but Baez was an offensive force in 2018.

    To put Baez's season in perspective, he was a Silver Slugger finalist at second base and at shortstop. He did just about everything for the Cubs this year.

    Chicago Cubs @Cubs

    Congratulations to @javy23baez on winning his first career National League #SilverSlugger Award! https://t.co/sWTbP2dWxL

    Story and Arenado combined to blast 75 dingers, so it wasn't surprising to see them take home Silver Slugger awards. 

    Colorado Rockies @Rockies

    Nolan Arenado, collector of precious metals. #NolanBeingNolan 😍 https://t.co/bthhzwfzKh

    MLB Network @MLBNetwork

    Leader in extra-base hits = a #SilverSlugger for @Tstory2. https://t.co/B0aWW4Ht6o

    And then there's Realmuto, who was one of the bright spots for Miami this season after hitting .277 with 21 homers and 74 RBI, excellent numbers from the catcher position.