Update: MLB Coaches have voted on the winners — Miguel Cabrera and Dee Gordon. You can read more about it on our updated Silver Bat Award blog post.
Every year since 1980, Louisville Slugger has presented the “Silver Slugger Awards” to award the top offensive players at each position from both the National and American Leagues. The awards are voted on by Major League Baseball managers and coaches, and are based on both offensive statistics and the perceived overall offensive value of players.
Below are some of the names on this year’s “Award Watch List” according to Louisville Slugger:
American League
1B – Prince Fielder (TX), Eric Hosmer (KC), Mark Teixeira (NYY), Albert Pujols (LAA)
2B – Jason Kipnis (CLE), Jose Altuve (HOU), Ian Kinsler (DET), Dustin Pedroia (BOS), Brian Dozier (MIN)
3B – Manny Machado (BAL), Josh Donaldson (TOR), Mike Moustakas (KC), Chase Headley (NYY), Kyle Seager (SEA)
SS – Xander Bogaerts (BOS), Jose Iglesias (DET), Alcides Escobar (KC), Erick Aybar (LAA), Elvis Andrus (TX)
OF – Nelson Cruz (SEA), Lorenzo Cain (KC), Mike Trout (LAA), Michael Brantley (CLE), J.D. Martinez (DET), Brett
Gardner (NYY), Adam Jones (BAL), Hanley Ramirez (BOS)
C – Russell Martin (TOR), Stephen Vogt (OAK), Salvador Perez (KC), Brian McCann (NYY)
DH – Jimmy Paredes (BAL), Kendrys Morales (KC), Alex Rodriguez (NYY), Evan Gattis (HOU), David Ortiz (BOS)
National League
1B – Paul Goldschmidt (AZ), Joey Votto (CIN), Adrian Gonzalez (LAD), Anthony Rizzo (CHC)
2B – Dee Gordon (MIA), DJ LeMahieu (COL), Joe Panik (SF), Howie Kendrick (LAD), Neil Walker (PIT)
3B- Yunel Escobar (WSH), Matt Duffy (SF), Nolan Arenado (COL), Todd Frazier (CIN), Kris Bryant (CHC), Matt
Carpenter (STL)
SS – Jhonny Peralta (STL), Brandon Crawford (SF), Wilmer Flores (NYM)
OF – Bryce Harper (WSH), A.J. Pollock (AZ), Starling Marte (PIT), Andrew McCutchen (PIT),
Carlos Gonzalez (COL), Ryan Braun (MIL)
C – Buster Posey (SF), Derek Norris (SD), Yadier Molina (STL)
P – Madison Bumgarner (SF), Zack Greinke (LAD)
Voting started on September 8th, and winners will be announced “in an exclusive Silver Slugger Awards – Presented by Louisville Slugger telecast on the MLB Network®” on November 12th. If you want to see it live, bookmark the MLB Network TV Schedule Page, and check your local listings for the exact broadcast time.