While the Indians were shut out of Gold Gloves just the day before, despite Michael Brantley and Yan Gomes finishing among the top in voting at their positions, they were able to take home two Silver Sluggers last night. This was the first time since 2011 that an Indian won the award and with both Michael Brantley, for the outfield, and Yan Gomes, at catcher, winning the awards it is the first time since 1999 when Manny Ramirez and Roberto Alomar did so. Brantley’s award is the first for an Indians outfielder since Grady Sizemore in 2008 and Gomes’ is the first for a catcher since Victor Martinez in 2004.
As mentioned a few weeks ago, these two seemed obvious choices for the award. Since Brantley was one of the top three hitters in the league, as shown when he was nominated for the American League MVP, it would stand to reason that he had to be among the top three AL outfielders as well. Like with the MVP candidacy, Mike Trout also won a Silver Slugger for the outfield, as did Victor Martinez at DH. Of outfielders, only 25 in the AL qualified for the batting title and only four of these batted .300 or above, slugged at least .500 and had an OBP of at least .375. Of those hitters, it was only Michael Brantley who managed to make all three lists with Jose Bautista, the third outfield Silver Slugger winner, being the only other player on at least two.
In addition to his remarkable consistency, Brantley also posted some impressive power numbers. He finished first among AL outfielders in doubles, fifth in RBI and ninth in home runs, despite never previously being a power threat. In addition, he had something those other power hitters didn’t, speed. Brantley finished seventh among AL outfielders with 23 steals while his 95.8% success rate was second in the league, just behind Seattle’s James Jones with a 96.4%. Compared to the power hitters among competitors for the award, Brantley stole more bases than each of the top eleven in slugging percent.
While Brantley had the better overall season, Gomes had the easier route. Only six American League catchers qualified for the batting title and three of those did so while batting .260 or below. Among those, Gomes was first in slugging percent, second in average and third in OBP with the leader in each of the latter two stats, Kurt Suzuki of the Twins, hitting just three home runs. Gomes also had the top production numbers among catchers, leading in runs scored with 61 and finishing just one RBI and two home runs behind the Yankees’ Brian McCann for second in each.
While mid-level awards such as these may not bring Tribe fans the kind of joy that a play-off appearance would have, they are important. The fact is, that in order to make the play-offs at all, a team needs players of a certain caliber and as these awards show, the Indians currently have the best offensive catcher in the league as well as one of the top three outfielders. Not only do they have them for 2015, but thanks to long term contracts signed prior to the season, both Silver Sluggers will be around for a very long time. Considering their age, talent level and length of contract, these should be just the first of many awards to come to these two skilled players. Congratulations are due to both Yan Gomes and Michael Brantley.
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