Four Philadelphia Phillies players have been designated Silver Slugger Award nominees for 2023.
The 2023 MLB season is officially ended now that the World Series has concluded. While the action on the field has concluded, the awards season has begun.
MLB unveiled the nominees for the 2023 Louisville Silver Slugger Award on Thursday morning, and four Philadelphia Phillies are among those honored for the National League accolades.
The Phillies finalists have a chance to join a long list of Phillies who have won the Silver Slugger, including Mike Schmidt (6 times), Chase Utley (4 times), and Ryan Howard (1 time).
Four Phillies were named Gold Glove Award finalists, in case you missed it.
The Phillies were also named a finalist for the inaugural Silver Slugger Team Award, which was announced at the end of September and will be chosen by a combination of stats and fan voting.
Individual Silver Slugger Awards are given to the top offensive players in each league, as determined by MLB managers and coaches. The ultimate winners will be announced on MLB Network on November 9 at 6 p.m. ET.
Kyle Schwarber, OF
After winning the honor in 2022, Kyle Schwarber, he of the majestic, ball-crushing moonshots, has a chance to repeat as the NL Silver Slugger in the outfield position. Despite finishing the season as the starting designated hitter, Schwarber began the season in the outfield and played 103 games in left.
The 30-year-old had a statistical aberration of a season, hitting 47 home runs and walking 126 times, both career highs. He drove in 104 runs and scored 108 runs, both of which were career highs. On the other hand, he hit.197 and struck out 215 times.
Schwarber will compete for the award against Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL), Cody Bellinger (CHC), Mookie Betts (LAD), Corbin Carroll (ARI), Juan Soto (SDP), and Seiya Suzuki (CHC).
Bryce Harper, DH
Bryce Harper, a two-time Silver Slugger winner, is nominated again, this time at DH. He previously won MVP honors with the Phillies in 2021 and with the Nationals in 2015.
Despite a late start due to Tommy John surgery and only appearing in 126 games, Harper finished the season with a.293 hitting average and a.900 OPS. He hit 21 home runs, drove in 72 runs, scored 84 runs, and stole 11 bases.
J.D. Martinez (LAD), Marcell Ozuna (ATL), and Jorge Soler (MIA) are Harper’s opponents.
J.T. Realmuto, C
J.T. Realmuto has won the Silver Slugger three times already in his career. He won in his final season in Miami in 2018, his first year in Philadelphia in 2019, and again last season.
The backstop batted.252 with a.762 OPS but hit 20 home runs, drove in 63, and scored 70 runs. He also had the most triples and stolen bases among catchers, with five and 16, respectively.
Realmuto will face William Contreras (MLW), Sean Murphy (ATL), and Will Smith (LAD) in the first round.
Trea Turner, SS
Trea Turner overcame a dreadful first half to earn a consideration for his second consecutive Silver Slugger at shortstop. He won his first with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022.
Turner finished the 2023 season with a.266 batting average and a.778 OPS after reviving his season in August. He hit 26 home runs, drove in 76 runs, and scored 102 runs. He also stole 30 bases.
Turner will face Xander Bogaerts (SDP), Francisco Lindor (NYM), and Dansby Swanson (CHC).
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