Major League Baseball announced the 2014 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger award winners on Thursday, with MVP candidates Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton and Andrew McCutchen among the top hitters at their respective positions.
Nine players from each league are selected as the best hitter for their respective position. Coaches and managers from across MLB vote for the players who they feel provided the most offensive production for their position, within each league. While the Gold Glove awards have begun integrating advanced statistics into their selection criteria, the Sliver Sluggers are still based on batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, as well as "general impressions of a player's overall offensive value." Managers and coaches may not vote for players on their respective teams.
The Silver Slugger award has been handed out since 1980, and is an extension of the Silver Bat Award, which recognizes the league batting champions.
The only repeat winners in the National League were Andrew McCutchen and Ian Desmond, while Trout repeated as a winner in the American League.
American League winners
Catcher
Yan Gomes, Indians
First Base
Jose Abreu, White Sox
Second Base
Jose Altuve, Astros
Third Base
Adrian Beltre, Rangers
Shortstop
Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
Outfield
Mike Trout, Angels
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
Michael Brantley, Indians
Designated Hitter
Victor Martinez, Tigers
National League winners
Catcher
Buster Posey, Giants
First Base
Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers
Second Base
Neil Walker, Pirates
Third Base
Anthony Rendon, Nationals
Shortstop
Ian Desmond, Nationals
Outfield
Justin Upton, Braves
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
Pitcher
Madison Bumgarner, Giants