The Los Angeles Dodgers were represented among the 2021 Silver Slugger Award finalists by Max Muncy, Will Smith and Trea Turner. Justin Turner oddly was initially included among second basemen, but it was an error as Trea Turner received votes at two positions.
Muncy and Smith are finalists at first base and catcher, their respective natural positions.
The Silver Slugger Award annually recognizes the best offensive performer at each position in both leagues. The designated hitter is included for the American League, while the best hitting pitcher is awarded in the National League.
Silver Slugger Award winners are decided by votes from the manager and three coaches of each MLB club. Voting is centered on a combination of statistics along with the managers’ and coaches’ impressions of a player’s overall offensive value.
World Series opponents, Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros, tied for the lead with five finalists each. The New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays also produced five finalists. Winners will be announced on MLB Network at 3 p.m. PT on Nov. 11.
None of the Dodgers’ nominees have ever received the honor. Mookie Betts took home a Silver Slugger last year.
Muncy set a career high with 36 home runs this season, besting the 35 he had in 2018 and 2019. Along with homers, Muncy additionally led the Dodgers with 94 RBI (second-highest of career) and 83 walks. Overall, he hit .249/.368/.527.
Smith performed well in his first Major League season, batting .258/.365/.495 with 19 doubles, 25 home runs and 76 RBI. Smith continued to deliver in late-game situations and continued his ascension as one of the top catchers in baseball.
Trea Turner became the first Dodger to win the NL batting title since Tommy Davis in 1963 and including time spent with the Washington Nationals, finished the season batting .328/.375/.536 with 34 doubles, 28 home runs and 77 RBI.
2021 Silver Slugger Award finalists
National League
1B: Freddie Freeman (ATL), Joey Votto (CIN), Paul Goldschmidt (STL), Max Muncy (LAD)
2B: Ozzie Albies (ATL), Jonathan India (CIN), Jake Cronenworth (SD), Trea Turner (LAD)
3B: Austin Riley (ATL), Manny Machado (SD), Nolan Arenado (STL), Patrick Wisdom (CHC)
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD), Brandon Crawford (SF), Trea Turner (LAD), Willy Adames (MIL)
OF: Juan Soto (WAS), Nick Castellanos (CIN), Bryce Harper (PHI), Bryan Reynolds (PIT), Adam Duvall (ATL), Jesse Winker (CIN), Tyler O’Neill (STL)
C: Buster Posey (SF), Will Smith (LAD) , J.T. Realmuto (PHI), Omar Narváez (MIL)
P: Germán Márquez (COL), Max Fried (ATL), Jacob deGrom (NYM), Madison Bumgarner (ARI)
American League
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR), Yuli Gurriel (HOU), Matt Olson (OAK)
2B: Marcus Semien (TOR), Jose Altuve (HOU), DJ LeMahieu (NYY), Jorge Polanco (MIN)
3B: Rafael Devers (BOS), José Ramírez (CLE), Kyle Seager (SEA)
SS: Carlos Correa (HOU), Xander Bogaerts (BOS), Tim Anderson (CWS), Bo Bichette (TOR)
OF: Cedric Mullins (BAL), Teoscar Hernández (TOR), Aaron Judge (NYY), Kyle Tucker (HOU), Mitch Haniger (SEA), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (TOR), Hunter Renfroe (BOS), Randy Arozarena (TB)
C: Salvador Perez (KC), Mike Zunino (TB), Gary Sánchez (NYY)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAA), Yordan Alvarez (HOU), Giancarlo Stanton (NYY), Joey Gallo (NYY), Nelson Cruz (TB)
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