Allow some GIFs to demonstrate the majestic power of the AL Silver Slugger Award winners
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On Thursday, Major League Baseball tipped its proverbial cap to the most powerful hitters in the game with the announcement of which players can now call themselves 2016 Silver Slugger Award winners. In order to fully appreciate just what these gentlemen did during this past season, it's probably best to look at some of their blasts in action -- so enjoy a bunch of those below.
(Check out the NL Silver Slugger winners right here). Want to make your voice heard? Click here to cast your vote for the Esurance MLB Awards.
Catcher: Salvador Perez (first-time winner)
This is the first time Royals backstop/charismatic clubhouse leader Salvador Perez has been recognized with a Silver Slugger Award. In '16, Perez hit .247/.288/.438, collecting a career-high 22 homers, driving in 64 RBIs and matching his career high with 28 doubles. He also crushed a big homer in the All-Star Game, too:
First base: Miguel Cabrera (seven-time winner)
Oh, Miggy. The man who can hit like nobody's business, smile like everybody's friend and crush baseballs that come to rest literally outside the stadium was at it again in '16. All of these traits are part of Miguel Cabrera's calling card, and he made good on all of them again this season.
Second base: Jose Altuve (third straight)
If there's one thing Jose Altuve does as well as play defense, it's singing boy band music in the clubhouse like a regular Nick Carter. He also hits exceptionally well, too, since there's nothing he isn't excellent at -- so it's without much surprise he collected his third consecutive Silver Slugger Award after hitting an AL-best .338/.396/.531 with 24 homers, 96 RBIs and 216 hits. Added up with his defense, that was good for a 7.7 WAR. He just continues to get better.
To illustrate that point, here's Altuve hitting a homer off Cubs ace Jake Arrieta while blowing a bubble, because wow:
Third base: Josh Donaldson (second straight)
The "Bringer of Rain" brought plenty of it for the Blue Jays this season, hitting near the top of John Gibbons' powerful lineup and being a relentless, exhausting presence for opposing pitchers to deal with. 37 homers, 99 RBIs, a .284/.404/.549 line is a lot to have to face before José Bautista and Edwin Encarnación, but that was what Donaldson accomplished on a near-everyday basis for Toronto in '16.
Keep doing you, Josh.
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts (second straight)
More love for those young Red Sox studs. As Boston's everyday shortstop, Bogaerts hit 21 homers, picked up 89 RBIs and slashed a formidable .294/.356/.446 for John Farrell's clubs, combining with the aforementioned Mookie Betts to be one of the league's most dynamic under-25 duos around today.
DH: David Ortiz (seven-time winner)
It was an emotional season for Big Papi, as the Red Sox's beloved hero rode off into the sunset with perhaps one of the greatest final seasons anyone's ever had. He hit 38 homers, collected 128 RBIs, slashed an unreal .315/.401/.620 (and with an absurd 1.021 OPS) en route to another All-Star selection. Improving his average more than 40 points from his .273 posted in '15, Ortiz definitely proved to everybody on his way out that yes, he can still hit and yes, he'll be missed.
Farewell, Papi, and thanks.
Outfield: Mike Trout (fifth straight)
Mike Trout is good. Like, really, really, good. He was a premier talent again in '16, hitting .315./441/.550 with a 174 OPS+, 123 runs, 116 walks, 29 homers and 100 RBIs. All this offense, plus his (tr)outstanding defense, added up to a jaw-dropping 10.6 WAR, his second-highest single-season WAR to date (coming up behind '12's 10.8).
Yeah, Mike, we see you.
Outfield: Mark Trumbo (first-time winner)
Speaking of guys who just can't stop hitting dingers, Mark Trumbo was a revelation for the Orioles this season. Mark launched Trum-bombs all summer long: an AL-best 47 homers to go along with 108 RBIs and a place in O's franchise history helped him earn his first-ever Silver Slugger designation, and it's hard to argue.
Just look at that swing and trajectory:
Outfield: Mookie Betts (first-time winner)
Another new entry to the list of Silver Sluggers, Mookie Betts helped the Red Sox crush and dance their way to an AL East title. An early-season home run barrage made folks stand at attention and realize that Betts was very much for real and yes, he wouldn't stop anytime soon. When it was all over, Betts clubbed 31 homers, drove in 113 runs, collected an AL-best 359 total bases and posted a 9.6 WAR.
Oh, and he's also a first-time Gold Glove Award-winner now, too.
Just unfair.
Congratulations all around, gentlemen, for annihlating baseballs all summer long. It's a trait reserved for a select few, and you all have it -- and then some.