2024 MLB Silver Slugger Awards

S. Samek

MLB award season is underway. One of the first MLB awards to be announced is the Silver Slugger awards. Let’s see who was honored for their hitting.

Starting in the National League.

At first base, it was Bryce Harper of the Phillies. He won his fourth award thanks to a 30-home run season and a. 898 OPS.

At second base, it was Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks. He is a first-time winner of the award. He hit .292 with 36 home runs and 95 RBI this season.

At third base, it was Manny Machado of the Padres. Machado wins the ward for the second time in his career in a season where he finished with 29 home runs, with 13 of them coming in the second half of the season.

At shortstop Francisco Lindor of the Mets won the award. Lindor won in 2023 and has now won the award four times.

William Contreras of the Brewers won at the catcher position. He had 23 home runs and 92 RBI to set career highs this season.

Shohei Ohtani won the award at designated hitter. He didn’t pitch in 2024, but still racked at the plate. With 54 home runs and 59 steals this season for the World Series champion Dodgers his season as a major success.

Jackson Merrill,Teoscar Hernández, and Jurickson Profar won the award for the National League outfielders. Merrill had a strong rookie campaign that saw him win this first Silver Slugger award. Could this also help his case for a rookie of the year award? Profar joins his teammate in winning for the first time, after an all-star season. Hernández hit 33 home runs to help the Dodgers take home a world series trophy.

Mookie Betts won the award for utility players. Betts has now won the award seven times.

The Dodgers won the team award.

Now for the American League.

At first base Vlad Guerrero Jr won the award for the second time. He hit .323 this season on route to winning the award.

At second base Jose Altuve won it for the seventh time. Altuve collected 185 hits this season most at the position.

At third base José Ramírez took home the prize. This is the fifth win for Ramírez after finishing with 39 doubles, 39 homers and 41 steals this year.

At shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. earned his first win. Witt Jr. led the league in hitting with a .332 average and followed it up with 32 home runs, 31 steals and 10 triples for a big year offensively.

Salvador Perez won the award at catcher for the fifth time. He had 104 RBI and 27 homers this year.

Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Anthony Santander won the awards for outfielders. Judge mashed 54 home runs this season. Soto hit 41 and is a highly sought after free agent this offseason after helping Judge get the Yankees to the world series. Santander won his first Silver Slugger award with 44 home runs and 102 RBI this year.

Brent Rooker of the A’s won for DH. He hit .293 with 39 big flies and an OPS of .927.

Josh Smith of the Rangers won his first award at the utility position. He hit .285 with 30 doubles while playing outfield, shortstop and third base.

Finally, the Yankees won the team Silver Slugger award for the American League.

It was a big year for hitters, and I think the Silver Slugger winners showed it.