Beltre Wins Silver Slugger Honors For Rangers
LOUISVILLE, KY (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp and Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista took home the Silver Slugger Award on Wednesday to highlight the honors given to the top offensive performers at their respective positions.
Kemp earned his second career award while batting .324 and knocking in a major-league best 126 runs with a National League leading 39 home runs. He also led the NL with 115 runs scored as he fell just the batting average title shy of winning the NL triple crown.
Bautista was honored for the second straight year, hitting .302 with 103 runs batted in and a major-league leading 43 home runs. The eight-year veteran's .608 slugging percentage and 1.056 OPS were also tops in baseball.
Other National League winners in the outfield were the Diamondbacks' Justin Upton and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun.
Braun received his fourth straight award, batting .332 with 33 homers and 111 RBI.
Infield winners in the senior circuit were Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips, Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and Braves catcher Brian McCann. Daniel Hudson from Arizona was honored at the pitcher's position.
Silver Slugger winners on the infield in the American League were Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and Tigers catcher Alex Avila.
Gonzalez earned the award in his first season in the AL since 2005 after spending the past five years in San Diego. He hit .338 with 27 home runs and 117 RBI, while leading all of baseball with 213 hits.
Outfield winners in the junior circuit also included Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury and the Yankees' Curtis Granderson.
David Ortiz from Boston took home the designated hitter award for the fifth time in his 15-year career.
Selections for the Louisville Silver Slugger Award were based on a combination of offensive statistics including batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, as well as the coaches' and managers' general impressions of a player's overall offensive value.
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