Four Royals named Silver Slugger finalists

Four Royals hitters were named finalists for the Silver Slugger Award at their respective positions – catcher Salvador Perez, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and third baseman Maikel Garcia, who was nominated at the utility player position. The Royals are one of three American League teams with four finalists, along with the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. The winners will be announced on Friday, November 7 on YouTube.

Salvador Perez won his fifth Silver Slugger Award last year, and has been a finalist in 11 of the last 12 seasons. He was third among all American League catchers with 30 home runs and second with 100 RBI. He became the second-oldest catcher ever to post a 30-homer, 100-RBI season. Salvy is a finalist along with Cal Raleigh of the Mariners and Shea Langeliers of the Athletics.

Vinnie Pasquantino is a finalist for the first time after enjoying his first 30 home run, 100 RBI season, making him and Perez the first Royals teammates ever to reach those marks in the same season. Vinnie was third in the AL with 113 RBI and was second among AL first basemen with 30 home runs. Athletics rookie Nick Kurtz and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays are the other finalists.

Bobby Witt Jr. won his first Silver Slugger Award last season and is a finalist for the third consecutive season. This year, he led the American League in hits (184) and doubles (47). He was also seventh in batting average (.295), ninth in slugging percentage (.501), eighth in OPS (.852), sixth in runs scored (99), fourth in triples (6), fourth in total bases (312), and fourth in Runs Created (114). He was third among AL shortstops in wRC+ at 130, and Anaheim’s Zach Neto was the only other AL shortstop to hit 20+ home runs and steal 20+ bases. Bobby should be a favorite over Bo Bichette of the Blue Jays and Jeremy Pena of the Astros.

Maikel Garcia is a finalist for the first time at the utility position, although he played 136 of his 160 games at third base. He ranked seventh in the AL in hits (170) and singles (110), fifth in doubles (39) and triples (5), and ninth in batting average (.286). He is up against Ben Rice of the Yankees and Zack McKinstry of the Tigers.

Finalists and winners are determined by a vote of American League Managers and coaches who cast ballots for players at each position in their league. Each AL team receives four votes – the Manager and three coaches of the team’s choice. Votes are based on a combination of offensive statistics, including OPS, OPS+, home runs, RBI, batting average, total bases, and runs, as well as the Managers’ and coaches’ general impressions of a player’s overall offensive value.

Royals Silver Slugger Award Winners

1980 – 3B George Brett, OF Willie Wilson

1982 – OF Willie Wilson, DH Hal McRae

2015 – DH Kendrys Morales

2024 – C Salvador Perez, SS Bobby Witt Jr.