Superstar Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies has won his third Silver Slugger Award in his career. He defeated J.D. Martinez (LAD), Marcell Ozuna (ATL), and Jorge Soler (MIA) to win the National League DH spot.
On MLB Network, the Silver Slugger Awards were revealed on Thursday night. In case you are unaware, MLB.com’s Brian Murphy states that managers and coaches cast their votes to determine which offensive player at each position in each league receives the award.
Four Phillies, Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, and Kyle Schwarber, were announced as nominees for the Silver Slugger Award, but none of them won.
After a peculiar year for the 31-year-old veteran, Harper has earned his third Silver Slugger. He didn’t play in a game until May 2, the day he made his season debut following an incredibly quick recovery from Tommy John surgery.
He suffered “a career-long power outage,” according to Murphy, following a strong 20-game run to begin the season in which he hit.347 with a.983 OPS and three home runs. From May 26 to July 15, he watched 37 games without seeing a ball leave the yard. Over that span, he had an OPS of.672 and only hit.259.
The Phillies were finally going to get their man, Bryce Harper, once he got off his back. Between July 15 and the end of the season, he had an OPS of 1.004 and hit.296. He scored 51 runs, drove in 49, and blasted 18 home runs.
Harper had an amazing slash line of.293/.401/.499 at the end of the regular season, along with 21 home runs, 72 RBI, 84 runs scored, and a 142 wRC+. He completed the season with 36 games at first base while learning a new position.
During his two MVP seasons, Harper also won two more Silver Slugger Awards. He had previously won the honour in 2015 with the Washington Nationals and in 2021 with the Phillies.