Silver Slugger time is here. Silver Slugger time is here. Silver Slugger time is here. Sorry I get a bit worked up over these. Why do you ask ? well because the BBWAA has nothing to do with it. That's why. It’s true, people. Sluggers like the Gold Gloves are voted on by Managers and Coaches. No moron throwing a party at a local watering hole with a blank piece of paper asking the party goers who should win has anything to do with it. So without further ado. Here are your Silver Slugger award winners for 2022.
CATCHER
AL winner: Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays (first win)
Kirk led all catchers in batting average (.285) and on-base percentage (.372), while drawing 63 walks and striking out only 58 times. He went yard 14 times, had 19 doubles and drove in 63 batters.
NL winner: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies (third win)
Realmuto slashed .276/.342/.478 (.820 OPS) this season and also finished with 22 home runs, 26 doubles, 84 RBIs and crossed the plate 75 times himself.
First Base
Nathaniel Lowe, Texas Rangers
AL Winner: Lowe had a monster year for Texas, .302/.358/.492 with 27 home runs and 76 RBI. Kirk set career highs in home runs, RBIs, Batting average, OBP, and slugging percentage
NL winner: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (fifth win)
Goldschmidt takes his fifth bat home this year. His first with the Cardinals, leading the NL in slugging percentage (.578), OPS (.981) hitting .317 with 35 home runs and 115 RBIs.
Second Base
AL winner: Jose Altuve, Astros (sixth win)
The Astros second baseman hit .300 with 28 homers and a .921 OPS, and 103 runs scored.cherry on top of that world series win.
NL winner: Jeff McNeil, Mets (first win)
McNeil led all players with a .326 average this season, he drove in 62 runs on the year with only 9 HR to help in that department. McNeil had 39 doubles this season to help his slash line .326/.382/.454/.836
THIRD BASE
AL winner: José Ramírez, Guardians (fourth win)
Ramírez slashed .280/.355/.514/.869 racked up 29 homers to go along with 126 RBI and 44 doubles to lead MLB.
NL winner: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (fifth win)
Arenado ended the season at .293 with 30 HR, 103 RBIs and 42 doubles. His 103 RBIs lead the National League for third basemen.
SHORTSTOP
AL winner: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (fifth win)
This is Bogaerts second straight Silver Slugger, his fifth overall The X man slashed .307/.377/.456 on the season. His .307 average and .377 on-base percentage each led all qualified shortstops. He belted 15 HR and had 73 RBI for a dreadful sox team.
NL winner: Trea Turner, Dodgers (first win)
Turner racked up 21 homers, 100 RBIs and 27 stolen bases this season. He also scored 100 runs. Turner slashed .298/.343/.466 (.809 OPS) for what could be his last season as a Dodger. Not bad numbers to hit the market with.
OUTFIELD
AL winners:
Aaron Judge, Yankees (third win)
Judge set an AL record passing Roger Marris hitting 62 home runs this season. Judge not only led the Majors in home runs, but he also paced both leagues in RBIs (131), runs (133),on-base percentage (.425), slugging percentage (.686), OPS (1.111), OPS+ (211) and total bases (391). Even the BBWAA Couldn't screw this one up if they tried.
Julio Rodríguez, Mariners (first win)
Rodríguez, who is about to win AL Rookie of the Year, hit .284 with 28 home runs, 75 RBI. I predicted way back when he would win the ROTY award but I had no idea his first season would be a monster like this.
Mike Trout, Angels (ninth win)
Another injury riddled season for the Angels center fielder. In just 119 games, Trout went yard 40 times on the season. That ranked second to Judge in the AL, Trout batted .283 with a .999 OPS and a .630 slugging percentage marks that ranked second in the AL behind Judge.
NL winners:
Mookie Betts, Dodgers (fifth win)
Mookie adds his fifth Silver Slugger Award (second as a Dodger) to his collection after already taking home a 2022 Gold Glove Award earlier this month, his sixth GG. The Dodgers outfielder hit a career-high 35 home runs, and 85 RBI. with 40 doubles and NL-leading 117 runs.
Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (first win)
NL-leading 46 Schwarbombs left baseball fields across the league this season. His debut season in Philadelphia was nothing short of Fantastic. Kyle from Waltham batted just .218 but had career bests in runs scored (100) RBIs (94) and Stolen ?Bases (10) .
Juan Soto, Nationals/Padres (third win)
Though Soto struggled for the Padres following his midseason trade from the Nationals, he still managed to grab his third SS by slashing .242/.401/.452/.853 line. He belted 27 Home runs to go along with 67 RBI. The man walked 153 times, Jesus. I mean Juan. LOL
Thats it y rabid readers, i think all awards should be determined in this same way. get the self important BBWAA out of the picture all together. let me know what you think over on the bird app @Tmurph207