The MLB announced the winners of the Silver Slugger Award, which is annually handed to the best hitter at each position. And who else but 21-year-old phenom, Ronald Acuña, was chosen as a recipient after smacking 41 bombs and recording a .883 OPS. He joined Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich in the outfield as winners – pretty good company to keep.
Congratulations @ronaldacunajr24! pic.twitter.com/uLQGReQE5F
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 7, 2019
He wasn’t the only Brave acknowledged, however. Both Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman each won the award for their respective positions. Albies broke out in his third year after a miserable second-half last season. He led the National League in hits, racked up 43 doubles and 24 home runs to go along with his .295 batting average. Like Acuña, he was also a first-time winner.
Freeman edged out rookie Pete Alonso and Josh Bell for the award. He hit .295 as well with a career-high 38 home runs. It’s unfortunate an injury prevented him from being his typical self in the postseason, but this should serve as a consolation prize for what was arguably the best season of his career. Surprisingly, this is also Freeman’s first Silver Slugger Award.