The 2014 Silver Slugger Awards presented by Louisville Slugger were announced on the MLB Network on Thursday night. Outfielders Mike Trout and Andrew McCutchen along with shortstop Ian Desmond grabbed their third consecutive honors.
Each year, Major League Baseball presents the Silver Slugger award to the top hitter at each position in the American and National leagues after managers and coaches cast their votes. Below is a list of the 2014 winners as well as those from last year to show the rise of new players at a specific position or simply a change in the award among veterans.
American League, 2014
First Base: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
Second Base: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
Shortstop: Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox
Third Base: Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
Outfield: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels; Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays; Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians
Catcher: Yan Gomes, Cleveland Indians
Designated Hitter: Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
National League, 2014
First Base: Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Second Base: Neil Walker, Pittsburgh Pirates
Shortstop: Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals
Third Base: Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals
Outfield: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates; Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves; Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
Catcher: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
Starting Pitcher: Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
American League, 2013
First Base: Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles
Second Base: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
Shortstop: J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles
Third Base: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Outfield: Torii Hunter, Detroit Tigers; Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels; Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Catcher: Joe Mauer , Minnesota Twins
Designated Hitter: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
National League, 2013
First Base: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
Second Base: Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
Shortstop: Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals
Third Base: Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh Pirates
Outfield: Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies; Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates; Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds
Catcher: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
Starting Pitcher: Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers
