Eric Hosmer wins Silver Slugger Award

Eric Hosmer has won the 2017 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award for American League first basemen, the first Royals player to win that award since George Brett in 1988. Hosmer was one of eight first-time winners this year. The award recognizes offensive excellence at each position.

Hosmer enjoyed a career-high season in 2017, hitting .318/.385/.498 with 25 HR and a 135 wRC+. He led American League first basemen in batting average, on-base percentage, hits, and runs scored. He was third in OPS and second in wRC+.

The Silver Slugger Award has been handed out since 1980. Past Royals winners include Brett (1980, 1985, 1988), Willie Wilson (1980, 1982), Hal McRae (1982), Frank White (1986), Gary Gaetti (1995), Dean Palmer (1998), Billy Butler (2012), Kendrys Morales (2015), and Salvador Pérez (2016).

Other American League winners included Gary Sánchez (Yankees) at catcher, Jose Altuve (Astros) at second base, Francisco Lindor (Indians) at shortstop, José Ramírez (Indians) at third base, Aaron Judge (Yankees), Justin Upton (Tigers and Angels), and George Springer (Astros) in the outfield, and Nelson Cruz (Mariners) at DH.

National League winners included Buster Posey (Giants) at catcher, Paul Goldschmidt (Diamondbacks) at first base, Daniel Murphy (Nationals) at second base, Corey Seager (Dodgers) at shortstop, Nolan Arenado (Rockies) at third base, Charlie Blackmon (Rockies), Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins), and Marcell Ozuna (Marlins) in the outfield, and Adam Wainwright (Cardinals) at pitcher.

The Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winners are decided by a vote of Major League Baseball managers and coaches.