Blue Jays’ Jose Bautista takes home 3rd Silver Slugger Award

While there were some new faces among the American League Silver Slugger winners, announced Thursday, there was at least one familiar face among the winners. Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista was named as the 2014 winner for the American League right fielders.

Your American League #SilverSlugger Award winners. pic.twitter.com/gDvyck52Bm

— MLB (@MLB) November 6, 2014

The win represents Bautista’s third Silver Slugger award and his first since 2011. It ties George Bell and Carlos Delgado for the Blue Jays team record for Silver Slugger wins, according to Shi David of Sportsnet.

Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-3

Betsided

Orioles vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Odds for Saturday, September 17th (Bradish Continues Stellar Stretch)Betsided

Orioles Series Preview: Battling the Blue Jays Once MoreBirds Watcher

Orioles vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Odds for Friday, September 16 (Toronto is Getting Hot at Right Time)Betsided

MLB Probable Pitchers for Friday, September 16 (Who's Starting for Every MLB Team?)Betsided

MLB Weather Report for Friday, September 16 (What's the Forecast for Every MLB Team and Matchup Today?)Betsided

For Bautista, it was a nice rebound season that will certainly garner him some MVP votes. After two injury-riddled campaigns, the five-time All-Star enjoyed one of his finest season, slashing .286/.403/.524 with 35 home runs, 103 RBI, 101 runs scored, and a 159 OPS+. Additionally, he kept his strike-outs at bay with 96 while walking just 96 times. Overall, Bautista was worth 6.3 wins above replacement in 2014, his highest total since 2011.

Despite his stellar efforts, the Blue Jays finished out of the playoffs for the 21st straight season, placing third behind the Baltimore Orioles, 13 games out of first place. While Bautista was his stellar self once again, he was unable to carry the load when fellow slugger Edwin Encarnacion was lost for over a month and the mounted injuries caught up to the Blue Jays line-up in August.

Along with Bautista, the other American League winners were Jose Abreu (1B), Jose Altuve (2B), Alexei Ramirez (SS), Adrian Beltre (3B), Yan Gomes (C), Michael Brantley (LF), Mike Trout (CF), and Victor Martinez (DH). Like Bautista, Trout, Beltre, and Martinez are multiple winners.