Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Disappointing as October was for the Dodgers, there is no denying the offensive force that they were the other six months of the season. And, there will be no shortage of recognition of that in the postseason accolades. This time it was Trea Turner and Mookie Betts in the spotlight, both taking a home a Silver Slugger award for 2022.
Silver Slugger Awards, which are voted on by MLB managers and coaches, are given to the top offensive player at each position in each league. That includes three outfielders (regardless of specific position) in each league and, for the first time, one utility player in each league. And sadly, no more pitchers (Max Fried, the 2021 winner, will go down in history as the last recipient of that award).
Trea becomes a first-time Silver Slugger winner with this year’s award. Though he considered 2022 an off year by his high standards, Turner still racked up 21 homers, 100 RBIs and 27 stolen bases this season. He was the only shortstop with at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases, as well as the only one to score at least 100 runs. Turner slashed .298/.343/.466 (.809 OPS) in the process.
As for Mookie, the Dodgers’ right fielder often led off with a bang in the Dodgers’ batting order with a bang, belting a career-high 35 home runs. Betts also hit 40 doubles, stealing 12 bases and scoring an NL-leading 117 runs. With Turner and Betts followed up by MVP-worthy Freddie Freeman in the three hole, it is no wonder the Dodgers’ had one of the highest run differentials in baseball history in 2022.
Mookie’s trophy case is getting fuller by the day. With his Silver Slugger, Betts also won the Gold Glove for this season a few days ago. He has now won five Silver Sluggers and six Gold Gloves over the past seven seasons.
Other winners of note in the NL include Paul Goldschmidt of the Cardinals (beating out Freddie Freeman at first base) and catcher JT Realmuto of the Phillies, who must have had a squeaker win over Will Smith, whose offensive numbers are very similar to the Phils’ backstop. Smith had more homers and RBI, but Realmuto’s OPS was about 15 points higher than Smith.
Whether or not Mookie and Trea are at the top of the Dodger lineup again in 2023 remains to be seen, but for a year at least, its been fun to watch. Congrats to them both!
