Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez wins Silver Slugger Award

Toronto Blue Jays rightfelder Teoscar Hernandez has won a Silver Slugger Award for the first time in his career.

The 28-year-old Hernandez broke out as one of the game’s top sluggers in the shortened 2020 season for the Blue Jays.

He hit 16 home runs with 34 RBIs in 50 games, batting .289 with a .919 OPS before an oblique strain briefly slowed him down in September.

His average of 11.9 at-bats per home run was the fourth best in the American League behind only Luke Voit (9.7), Nelson Cruz (11.6) and Mike Trout (11.7).

The league announced the winners on Thursday, with the award going to the top offensive player at their position in each league voted on by managers and coaches.

The Chicago White Sox led the way in the AL with three winners — first baseman Jose Abreu, , shortstop Tim Anderson and left fielder Eloy Jimenez.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez, L.A. Angels centrefielder Mike Trout and Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz rounded out the winners in the AL.

The Atlanta Braves led the National League with four winners — catcher Trevor d’Arnaud, first baseman Freddie Freeman, centrefielder Ronald Acuna Jr., and DH Marcell Ozuna.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., were also winners, as was San Francisco Giants second baseman Donovan Solano, Washington Nationals left fielder Juan Soto and Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 5, 2020.