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On Thursday, MLB named the finalist for the Rawlings Silver Slugger Awards, which honors the top offensive players at each position. The winners are scheduled to be announced on Thursday, November 10th. While the BBWAA votes for many end-of-season awards, MLB managers and coaches select the finalists. Rocco Baldelli and three other Twins coaches served as the team's voting members this season.
According to MLB.com, "MLB managers and coaches vote for the Silver Sluggers, which go to one player apiece in each league at catcher, DH, and each infield position, plus three outfielders. Like the Gold Glove Awards, the Silver Sluggers also added a utility category in 2022." Carlos Correa was named an AL shortstop finalist, and Luis Arraez finished in the top 3 at the utility spot. Both players face a challenging field, so let's see if either has a shot at the award.
Correa is one of four AL shortstop finalists, along with Bo Bichette, Xander Bogaerts, and Corey Seager. According to fWAR, Bogaerts accumulated 8.7 more offensive runs above average than the other top-four shortstops. Correa played over 13 games fewer than the other candidates but ranked as the best AL shortstop in wRC+. Bichette had the most hits in the AL, and Seager hit over 30 home runs in his first AL season. Only Bichette ranked higher than Correa in Win Probability Added among the finalists. Correa's slow start and games missed likely means he finishes behind the other candidates.
Arraez faces a competitive field in the utility spot because two of his competitors are finalists at other positions. Shohei Ohtani is a former Silver Slugger winner at DH and is in the conversation for AL MVP. He is a Silver Slugger finalist at DH and utility. DJ LeMahieu has two Silver Sluggers at second base while being a finalist at that spot again this season. Arraez will get consideration for this award since he won the AL batting title and kept Aaron Judge from winning the Triple Crown.
Ohtani had better offensive numbers than Arraez, but it's hard to know if coaches viewed him as a utility player. During the 2022 season, he didn't play an inning at any defensive position other than pitcher. Arraez made defensive starts at first base, second base, and third base, which helped his case to be considered a utility player. There is no precedent for voting history at this position since the utility spot is new for 2022.
Minnesota is looking for its first Silver Slugger winner since Nelson Cruz (DH) took home the award in 2020. Back in 2019, Mitch Garver (Catcher) and Cruz (DH) won the honors as part of the Bomba Squad team. Before that, the Twins hadn't won a Silver Slugger since Joe Mauer in 2013. Congratulations to Arraez and Correa on their nomination.
Just eight days ago, Arraez and Correa, along with Max Kepler were named nominees for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award.
Do you think Correa or Arraez will win the Silver Slugger? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.
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