MLB · 1 year ago

MLB Awards: Predicting All 10 AL Silver Slugger Winners for 2024

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1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turned in an impressive season, especially during the second half. He secured his spot as the top first baseman with a standout performance at the plate. Guerrero finished the year with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs, all while slashing .323/.396/.544 and posting a .940 OPS.

Guerrero's wRC+ was an impressive 165, with a .398 wOBA to his name. He dominated the competition, leading all AL first basemen in every major category. His disciplined approach also stood out, with a strikeout rate of just 13.8% and a walk rate of 10.3%. Guerrero’s 0.75 BB/K ratio was the highest among all AL first basemen.

This Silver Slugger would be his second, with his first coming in 2021.
Designated Hitter: Brent Rooker (Oakland Athletics)
Brent Rooker was one of the few bright spots in a tough year for the Athletics. Rooker slashed .293/.365/.562 with 39 home runs and 112 RBIs, posting an impressive .927 OPS.

Rooker’s 39 home runs and .392 wOBA ranked him behind only Aaron Judge and Yordan Alvarez among AL designated hitters. This would be Rooker’s first career Silver Slugger, and he more than earned it with his breakout season.

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Utility: Ceddanne Rafaela (Boston Red Sox)
Ceddanne Rafaela may have flown under the radar, but his versatility and offensive contributions make him a top candidate for the utility Silver Slugger. Rafaela played over 80 games in the outfield and at shortstop while hitting 15 home runs and driving in 75 RBIs.

His offensive stats aren’t overwhelming, but Rafaela’s flexibility and solid contributions at multiple positions put him in the running for the award.

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Catcher: Yainer Diaz (Houston Astros)
Yainer Diaz emerged as the top-hitting catcher in the AL this season. Diaz slashed .299 with 16 home runs, 70 runs scored, and 84 RBIs, leading all AL catchers in hits with 175.

Diaz’s 117 wRC+ tied him with Cal Raleigh for the league lead among catchers, and he should take home his first Silver Slugger. While Salvador Perez had a slightly higher wOBA, Diaz’s consistency over the season gives him the edge.

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OF Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros)
Despite playing only 53 games in the outfield, Yordan Alvarez is still a top contender for a Silver Slugger. Alvarez slashed .308/.392/.567 with 35 home runs, a .959 OPS, and a .259 ISO. His ability to avoid strikeouts and command intentional walks highlights how dangerous he was at the plate.

Alvarez's contributions were enough to qualify him in the outfield, where his offensive stats outshine most competitors. He’s on track for his second career Silver Slugger.

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OF Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
Juan Soto excelled in his first season in the American League, delivering a powerful performance alongside teammate Aaron Judge. Soto smashed 41 home runs, scored 128 runs, and drove in 109 RBIs, all while slashing .288/.419/.569 with an OPS of .988.

His 180 wRC+ and 63.4 wRAA were among the best in the league, and he outpaced other AL outfielders with 129 walks, showcasing his elite plate discipline. This should mark his first Silver Slugger in the AL after four straight wins in the National League.
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OF Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
Aaron Judge had another monstrous season, proving once again why he’s one of the league’s best sluggers. With 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, and 122 runs scored, Judge was unstoppable in 2024.

His .322 average, .458 OBP, and .701 slugging percentage culminated in a ridiculous 1.159 OPS and a 218 wRC+. Judge also posted a .367 BABIP, hitting home runs nearly a third of the time when he hit a fly ball.

Judge is a lock for his fourth Silver Slugger Award and could even secure his second MVP.
SS Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals)
The race for the Silver Slugger at shortstop came down to Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson. While both had career years, Witt's consistency throughout the season gave him the edge.

Witt slashed .332/.389/.588 with a .980 OPS, outpacing Henderson’s .281/.364/.529 line. Witt also finished with 32 home runs, 125 runs scored, and 109 RBIs, all while posting an impressive 168 wRC+.

Henderson had his moments, but Witt’s overall offensive performance was stronger. This would be Witt’s first Silver Slugger after being a finalist last season.
3B José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
José Ramírez’s all-around stellar performance makes him the top candidate at third base. With 39 home runs, 39 doubles, and 41 stolen bases, Ramírez was a key contributor to the Guardians’ playoff push.

Ramírez had 81 more plate appearances than his closest competitor, Rafael Devers, who was shut down with a shoulder injury late in the season. Ramírez also finished with a higher slugging percentage and a slight edge in wRC+. In the end, Ramírez outpaced Devers in runs, home runs, and RBIs, securing his spot as the best third baseman of 2024.
2B Jose Altuve (Houston Astros)
Jose Altuve has been a Silver Slugger mainstay, and 2024 is no different. Altuve is poised to take home his seventh Silver Slugger Award, continuing his offensive dominance at second base.

Altuve slashed .295/.350/.439, good for a .790 OPS and a .344 wOBA. While it may not have been his best season, he still outperformed his rivals like Marcus Semien and Zack Gelof. Altuve logged 31 more hits than Semien and ended the season with a 127 wRC+, far outpacing Semien’s 99.
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turned in an impressive season, especially during the second half. He secured his spot as the top first baseman with a standout performance at the plate. Guerrero finished the year with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs, all while slashing .323/.396/.544 and posting a .940 OPS.

Guerrero's wRC+ was an impressive 165, with a .398 wOBA to his name. He dominated the competition, leading all AL first basemen in every major category. His disciplined approach also stood out, with a strikeout rate of just 13.8% and a walk rate of 10.3%. Guerrero’s 0.75 BB/K ratio was the highest among all AL first basemen.

This Silver Slugger would be his second, with his first coming in 2021.
Designated Hitter: Brent Rooker (Oakland Athletics)
Brent Rooker was one of the few bright spots in a tough year for the Athletics. Rooker slashed .293/.365/.562 with 39 home runs and 112 RBIs, posting an impressive .927 OPS.

Rooker’s 39 home runs and .392 wOBA ranked him behind only Aaron Judge and Yordan Alvarez among AL designated hitters. This would be Rooker’s first career Silver Slugger, and he more than earned it with his breakout season.

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MLB Awards: Predicting All 10 AL Silver Slugger Winners for 2024

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