Silver Slugger Winners

Yesterday the MLB network did a really classy Silver Slugger presentation that simulcasted on mlb.com. They announced each winner and played a highlight real of that player and showed some satistics that show them worthy of winning. It was very well done, but we are not here to critique the ceremony. It's out job to see it everyone who took home hardware earned it.

Your winners are....

NL                                                                     AL
C-Brian McCann                                                C-Joe Mauer                                                  
1B-Albert Pujoles                                               1B-Miguel Cabrerra
2B-Dan Uggla                                                     2B-Robinson Cano
3B-Ryan Zimmerman                                          3B-Adrian Beltre
SS-Troy Tulowitzki                                             SS-Alexi Ramirez
OF-Carlos Gonzalez                                           OF-Jose Bautista
Ryan Braun                                                                Josh Hamilton
Matt Holiday                                                             Carl Crawford
P-Yovani Gallardo                                              DH-Vladimir Guererro


It's a fairly robust list packed with All-Stars and perennial award contenders, though a few new faces are sprinkled in. Like Jose Bautista, Bautista's 54 home runs put him ahead of other outfielders that had good years also like Alex Rios, Delmon Young and Shin-Soo Choo. It was well deserved for the Hank Aaron award winner, especially considering that the AL is packed with big names like Nelson Cruz, Nick Swisher, Torii Hunter, and Iciro Suzuki who are all capable of being elite offensive players.

The catching story is a familiar one, McCann winning his fourth Silver Slugger(third consecutive) and Mauer his third. It's hard to say that either of them didn't deserve it, but neither one was the clear cut winner before the awards were announced, McCann (.269/21/77) came down to the wire with Giants rookie Buster Posey, much like in the post season, who put up a .305 average and 18 home runs after taking over for Bengie Molina in April. They figure to be rivals for the Silver Slugger for years to come.

Mauer(.327/9/75) on the other hand had to contend with John Buck(.280/20/66), Victor Martinez(.302/20/79), and Mike Napoli(.238/26/68). You could make a very good case for V-Mart because his average was near Mauer, but he displayed much more power. Buck and Napoli fall sort of the other two, but belong in the conversation because of the strong numbers they put up. Mauer's .327 average and the fact that the Twins lineup is so dependent on him, despite his home run totals falling back to earth after  hitting 28 in his MVP 2009 season.

Joey Votto is the only other player who could have stolen the silver slugger from Prince Albert, and you could make a case that he should have. He beat Pujoles in batting average(.324 to .312) OBP(.424 to .414) and slugging percentage(.600 to .596), Pujoles got the best of Votto in home runs(42 to 38) and RBI(118 to 113). Basically it was a photo finish for these two fantastic players, and you can't go wrong with numbers like those. It just goes to show that the voters put more stock in counting numbers than ratios, and with these in particular maybe they should because the ratios were so close.

With an off years by Mark Texeria and Carlos Pena, and injuries to Kendry Morales, Keven Youkolis, and Justin Morneau the Award was Miguel Cabrera's to win. His only real competition came in the form of White Sox slugger Paul Konerko who put up a (.312/39/111) line, but with Cabrera hitting an impressive .328 to go with his 38 home runs, and 126 RBI it wasn't that close.

Dan Uggla and Martin Prado were going head to head for the second base award. With Uggla's 33 dingers, and Prado's late season injuries hurting his numbers, Uggla was the clear cut winner.

Robinson Cano was the steadying force in a fluctuating Yankee lineup, hitting .319, with 29 home runs and 109 RBI. Second base's bigger power threats Aaron Hill(.206/26.68) and Ian Kinsler(.286/9/45) both had off years, and perennial favorite Dustin Pedroia(.288/12/410 missed much of the second half with a foot injury. Which opened the door wide open for Cano to come in and grab it.

Ryan Zimmerman(.307/25/85) earned this one, but David wright wasn't far off(.283/29/103 and 19 stolen bases) it could have gone either way. I think Zimmerman may not have as high an offensive ceiling as Wright, but was better this year, in what many would consider a weaker lineup. After than it was pretty slim pickings in the NL with only Placido Polanco and Scott Rolen exceeding expectations. A lot of bad years from big names at the hot corner.

Adrian Beltre was thrilled to be away from the hitter's nightmare that is Safeco Field, and it showed in his numbers. Evan Longoria was his chief competition, but Beltre bested him by hitting around thirty points higher with about ten more RBI. It's ironic that the third baseman known for his glove (Beltre) won the Silver Slugger, and the third baseman known for his hitting (Longoria) won the Gold Glove.

Shortstop in both leagues was the right call all the way, Tulowitzki and Ramirez were both the class at a weak position.

In the Outfield you just can't argue with the inclusion of Carl Crawford(.307/19/90 47SB), Josh Hamilton(.359/32/100), or Carlos Gonzalez(.336/34/117 26SB). They should have had their names checked on everyone's ballots. Jose Bautista(.260/54/124) as stated earlier probably earned this one based on his enormous home run total.

Holliday(.312/28/103 and Braun(.304/25/103) both had outstanding season, though because of what they are capable of it doesn't seen as impressive. One could argue that Jayson Werth(.296/27/85) should have merited consideration. Braun's Brewer teammate Corey Hart(.283/31/102) probably just missed being on the list because of injuries that hampered him in the second half. With injuries to Andre Either, Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran, and down years by Matt Kemp, Alfonso Soriano and Shane Victorino thinned the pool greatly.

At DH Vlad(.300/29/115) showed that he can still rake, even if he can't play right anymore. He beat out David Ortiz(.270/32/102)and Billy Butler(.318/15/78) to claim the only DH exclusive award.

For the pitchers it was Yovani Gallardo, who displayed prodigious power hitting 4 home runs. The only argument another pitcher has an argument is probably Clayton Kershaw who lead all pitchers with 18 sacrifice hits. It's a different direction but that is what most pitchers are asked to do when they are at the plate.

So those are your winners, congrats to all of them.