A total of six Cuban baseball players are among the finalists for this year’s edition of the “Silver Bats” award (Silver Slugger), which distinguishes the best offensive hitters of each position in each season of the Major League Baseball (MLB).
The Cubans who are nominated in the select list on this occasion are Yandy Díaz (Tampa Bays Rays/1B), Yordan Álvarez (Houston Astros/DH), Randy Arozarena (Tampa Bay Rays/OF), Adolis García (Texas Rangers/ OF), Luis Robert (Chicago White Sox/OF) and Jorge Soler (Miami Marlins/OF).
Winners will be announced on November 9 at 6:00 pm (Miami time).
Among the finalists is a combination of veterans and rookies who have shined with their offense in the Major Leagues in this season, which the Texas Rangers just won.
The Silver Bats award has been given since 1980 to the most productive players with the bat in each position.
For this edition, the best hitter will also be taken into account. utilityafter last year they also began to consider this type of players who do not play in a single position.
In 2022, the Cubans Yordan Álvarez, of the Houston Astros; and Nolan Arenado, of the St. Louis Cardinals, won the “Silver Bats” award in their respective leagues.
Cubans who have won silver bats so far in Major Leagues:
José Canseco (1988, 1990, 1991, 1998).
Rafael Palmeiro (1998,1999)
Livan Hernandez (2004)
Alexei Ramirez (2010, 2014)
Jose Abreu (2014, 2018, 2020)
Kendrys Morales (2015)
Yoenis Cespedes (2016)
Yordan Alvarez (2022)
Complete list of 2023 Silver Slugger nominees: (Source: MLB.com)
American League
First base:
Triston Homes, BOS
Yandy Diaz, TB
Nathaniel Lowe, TEX
Spencer Torkelson, IT
Second base:
Brandon Drury, LAA
Marcus Semien, TEX
Gleyber Torres, NY
Third base:
Alex Bregman, HOU
Rafael Devers, BOS
Isaac Paredes, TB
José Ramírez, CLE
Short field:
J.P. Crawford, SEA
Corey Seager, TEX
Bobby Witt Jr., KC
Gardens:
Randy Arozarena, TB
Adolis García, TEX
Aaron Judge, NYY
Luis Robert Jr., CWS
Julio Rodríguez, SEA
Anthony Santander, BAL
Kyle Tucker, HOU
Catcher:
Salvador Perez, KC
Cal Raleigh, SEA
Adley Rutschman, BAL
Designated hitter:
Yordan Alvarez, HOU
Shohei Ohtani, LAA
Utility:
Brandon Drury, LAA
Gunnar Henderson, BAL
Isaac Paredes, TB
Whit Merrifield, TOR
National League
First base:
Pete Alonso, NYM
Freddie Freeman, LAD
Matt Olson, ATL
Second base:
Ozzie Albies, ATL
Luis Arráez, MIA
Ketel Marte, AZ
Third base:
Nolan Arenado, STL
Manny Machado, SD
Max Muncy, LAD
Austin Riley, ATL
Short field:
Xander Bogaerts, SD
Francisco Lindor, NYM
Dansby Swanson, CHC
Trea Turner, PHI
Gardens:
Ronald Coin Jr., ATL
Mookie Betts, LAD
Cody Bellinger, CHC
Corbin Carroll, AZ
Kyle Schwarber, PHI
Juan Soto, SD
Seiya Suzuki, CHC
Catcher:
William Contreras, MIL
Sean Murphy, ATL
JT Realmuto, PHI
Will Smith, LAD
Designated hitter:
Bryce Harper, PHI
JD Martínez, LAD
Marcell Ozuna, ATL
Jorge Soler, MIA
Utility:
Cody Bellinger, CHC
Mookie Betts, LAD
Ha-Seong Kim, SD
Spencer Steer, CIN
