Altuve, Springer win American League Silver Slugger awards

Jose Altuve #27 and George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 in eleven innings to win game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Two Houston Astros players have won Silver Sluggers awards in the same season for the first time since 1999. Second Baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder George Springer won Silver Slugger Awards as the top offensive players at their positions in the American League, Louisville Slugger announced tonight.

The Houston Astros sent this release:

Louisville Slugger announced tonight that two Houston Astros All-Stars in second baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder George Springer have won Silver Slugger Awards as the top offensive players at their positions in the American League. Altuve and Springer are the first pair of Astros teammates to win Silver Sluggers in the same season since 1999, when first baseman Jeff Bagwell and pitcher Mike Hampton both won. The last time the Astros had two position players win the award in the same season was in 1998 with outfielder Moises Alou and second basemen Craig Biggio.

This marks the fourth Silver Slugger Award for Altuve, the second highest total in franchise history, trailing only Craig Biggio, who won five (1989, 1994-95, 1997-98). Altuve is the only player in franchise history to win four straight Silver Sluggers.

Springer is a first-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award and is just the third Astros outfielder to win the award, joining Alou (1998) and Jose Cruz (1983-84).

Established in 1980, the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards are the top offensive honors in Major League Baseball. Managers and coaches of all 30 Major League teams vote for the players they feel are the best offensive producers at each position in both the American and National Leagues.

Altuve won his third career and second consecutive batting title in 2017, and helped lead the Astros to their first World Series Championship in franchise history. During the regular season, he posted a .346 batting average and an American League-high 204 hits, becoming the first player in Major League history to be the outright leader in hits in his league in four consecutive seasons. Altuve became the 11th player in MLB history to record at least 200 hits in four straight years. He led the Majors in WAR (8.4), while ranking among the top 10 American League players in runs (T-2nd, 112), on-base percentage (3rd, .410), stolen bases (3rd, 32), OPS (3rd, .957), total bases (5th, 323), slugging percentage (6th, .547) and doubles (T-9th, 39).

Springer, a first-time All-Star in 2017 and the World Series MVP, hit .283 (155x548) with 112 runs scored, 29 doubles, 34 homers and an .889 OPS in 140 games in the regular season. His 34 home runs led the team, were a career high and ranked tied for 10th in the AL. He also finished tied for second in the AL in runs scored and ninth in OPS. Among American League outfielders, Springer ranked second in runs and fifth in homers, OBP (.367), slugging (.522) and OPS. Springer hit leadoff for the Astros all season and his 34 home runs set a franchise record and tied as the seventh-most homers ever recorded by a leadoff hitter in MLB history.

 

There have been 11 Astros who have won a Silver Slugger Award: Altuve (2014-17), Springer (2017), outfielder Carlos Lee (2007), third baseman Morgan Ensberg (2005), Hampton (1999), Alou (1998), Bagwell (1994, 1997, 1999), Biggio (catcher in 1989, second baseman in 1994-95, 1997-98), first baseman Glenn Davis (1986), Cruz (1983-84) and shortstop Dickie Thon (1983).

This announcement continues a busy awards season for the Astros so far. Last night, Altuve took home a pair of Players Choice Awards, being named the  MLB Player of the Year and the AL Most Outstanding Player. This is on top of him being named the 2017 Sporting News Player of the Year and 2017 AL Hank Aaron Award. Also, earlier this week, Altuve was named one of three finalists for the BBWAA AL Most Valuable Player award, which will be announced live on MLB Network on Thursday, Nov. 16.

In addition to Altuve being named a finalist for a BBWAA award, Astros manager AJ Hinch was named a finalist for the AL Manager of the Year award, with the winner announced live on MLB Network on Tuesday, Nov. 14.