Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman and Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu were named the respective National League and American League winners of the 2020 Hank Aaron Award.
The Hank Aaron Award has recognized the most outstanding regular season offensive performer in each league since 1999. Each club nominated one player and then a panel of MLB.com writers determined seven finalists for both leagues from the list of nominees.
Fans voted for the recipients on MLB.com, along with Hank Aaron and a special panel of Hall of Fame players including Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Craig Biggio, Ken Griffey Jr., Eddie Murray and Robin Yount.
Appearing in all 60 games for the Braves, Freeman hit a stellar .341/.462/.640 with an MLB-best 23 doubles to go along with 13 home runs and 53 RBI over 262 plate appearances.
Freeman previously was named the 2020 NL MVP, edging out Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, who finished second after an incredible first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Abreu also played in all 60 games this past season, batting .317/.370/.617 with 15 doubles, 19 home runs and an MLB-leading 60 RBI across 262 plate appearances.
Freeman and Abreu combined for 64% of the fan vote. For both players, it is their first career Hank Aaron Award.
Seager was finalist for 2020 Hank Aaron Award
The Dodgers’ representative for the 2020 Hank Aaron Award was Corey Seager, who enjoyed a fantastic campaign. Appearing in all but eight of the club’s 60 games, he hit .307/.358/.585 with 12 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs and 41 RBI over 232 plate appearances.
Seager finished first among his Dodgers teammates in doubles, RBI and hits (65), while also tying with Justin Turner for highest batting average. Seager placed second in home runs, third in on-base plus slugging (.943) and fifth in on-base percentage.
Seager was previously nominated for the Hank Aaron Award in 2016, but the honor ultimately went to Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. The only Dodgers player to win the award was Matt Kemp in 2011.
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