Four Astros named finalists for Silver Slugger Award
HOUSTON, TX - Louisville Slugger has announced that Jose Altuve (second baseman), Yordan Alvarez (designated hitter), Alex Bregman (third base) and Yainer Diaz (catcher) are finalists for the Silver Slugger Award at their respective positions. The Astros' four finalists are tied with the New York Yankees for most among American League teams.
Established in 1980, the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards honor the top offensive producers at each position in both the American and National Leagues. The winners will be announced at 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 12 on MLB Network.
Altuve, 34, has won six career Silver Slugger Awards, which are the most in Astros history and most all time among AL second basemen. With a win this year, he'd match Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg for the most career Silver Slugger Awards at second base in MLB history. Altuve batted .295 (185x628) with 94 runs scored, 31 doubles, 20 home runs, 65 RBI, 22 stolen bases and a .790 OPS (.350 OBP/439 SLG) in 153 games this season. Among AL second basemen, he ranked first in batting average, hits, doubles, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, and was second in home runs and RBI. Altuve was selected to ninth career All-Star Game this season, including his sixth career fan selection as a starter. Other finalists at second base are Colt Keith (DET), Marcus Semien (TEX) and Gleyber Torres (NYY).
Alvarez, 27, is looking to win his second career Silver Slugger Award, also receiving the award at designated hitter in 2022. In 147 games this season, he batted .308 (170x552) with 88 runs scored, 34 doubles, 35 home runs, 86 RBI and a .959 OPS (392 OBP/.567 SLG). Alvarez led AL designated hitters in doubles, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, while also ranking third in homers and fourth in RBI. He earned his third career All-Star selection this season, as well as his first fan selection as a starter. He is a finalist at designated hitter with Brent Rooker (OAK) and Giancarlo Stanton (NYY).
Bregman, 30, is seeking his second career Silver Slugger Award, winning the first of his career in 2019. He batted .260 (151x581) with 30 doubles, 26 home runs, 75 RBI and a .768 OPS (.315 OBP/.453 SLG) in 145 games. Among AL third basemen, Bregman ranked second in doubles and third in home runs, RBI, runs scored, walks, batting average and OPS. He also led AL third basemen in games played (142). Bregman is joined by Rafael Devers (BOS) and José Ramirez (CLE) as finalists at third base.
Diaz, 26, is a first-time finalist for the Silver Slugger Award. In 148 games this season, he batted .299 (175x585) with 70 runs scored, 29 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, 84 RBI and a .766 OPS (.325 OBP/.441 SLG). He ranked first among AL catchers in batting average, hits and triples. He also ranked third among the league's catchers in RBI, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Along with Diaz, other AL finalists at catcher are Shea Langeliers (OAK), Salvador Perez (KC) and Cal Raleigh (SEA).