The Los Angeles Angels had Brandon Drury and Shohei Ohtani were named among finalists for a 2023 Silver Slugger Award in the American League.
Ohtani is on track to win his second career AL MVP, and was a Silver Slugger Award under his belt, and he became the first Japanese player to lead his league in home runs. Drury, won the award as a utility player in the National League when he was traded from the Cincinnati Reds, to the San Diego Padres at the deadline.
Drury signed a solid contract following a career year, and in his first season with the Angels, he slugged 26 home runs, 30 doubles, three triples, 83 RBI and posting an .803 on-base plus slugging. He became a rock in the heart of the lineup, and was on track to receive a nomination to the All-Star Game, but unfortunately went down with an injury.
He’s nominated at two spots, for second base, and for the utility role, for which he took home the Silver Slugger Award last season.
Ohtani is nominated at designated hitter and is the likely favorite to win. After he led the league with a 1.066 OPS, he also notched 44 home runs, 95 RBI, 20 steals, and logged a .304 batting average, a career best.
The two-way star was limited down the stretch with injuries, but he looks to have enough to edge out Yordan Alvarez, who put up a very solid season with the Houston Astros.
American League West dominates Team Silver Slugger Award nominations
The AL West had a plethora of talent this season, wrapping up with a World Series title run by the Texas Rangers in the 119th Fall Classic.
Their dominance on the offensive end was recognized by their three nominations for the 2023 Team Silver Slugger Award, which is being presented for the first time in history to the best offensive team in both leagues. In the National League, the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Padres and Philadelphia Phillies were mentioned.
Whereas in the AL, the Astros, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Rangers, held it down. The three nominations for the division is a clear indication that there’s a ton of firepower out West, and the Angels have work to do.
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