Most surprising Silver Slugger winners in Toronto Blue Jays’ history

With the 2025 season nearing its end, the annual awards are on the horizon. This year, Louisville Slugger joins FanSided to announce the Silver Slugger Award finalists and winners. National League finalists will be revealed on October 22, with winners named on November 6. In the American League, the finalists are announced on October 23, and the winners follow on November 7. The announcements will come exclusively on the The Baseball Insiders YouTube channel.

The coaches vote on this award, and a winner is declared for each position, including the designated hitter in both leagues. Each team gets four votes: the manager and three coaches of their choice.

The Silver Slugger Award is entirely based on offensive production throughout the season and the coaches' impressions of a player’s overall offensive value. Louisville Slugger created the Silver Slugger Award in 1980. Over the years, the typical superstars at each position are the winners, but occasionally there's a surprise or two.

Most surprising Silver Slugger winners in Toronto Blue Jays’ history

The Blue Jays have seen many superstars claim the Silver Slugger Award—George Bell, Joe Carter, Carlos Delgado, Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Teoscar Hernández, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., to name a few. Yet, some winners stand out as unexpected.

Kelly Gruber (3B-1990)

One example is Kelly Gruber. Gruber spent nine of his ten MLB seasons with the Blue Jays. Known as a typical contact hitter, he posted a career slash line of .259/.307/.432, paired with a .739 OPS and a 102 wRC+. In 1991, he hit his second-most single-season home runs (20), while his second-most RBIs (81) came in 1988.

Notably, Gruber made history in 1989 by hitting for the first cycle in Blue Jays history, achieving the home run, double, triple, and single in that order. The single might have become a double, but he was advised to hold at first.

The third baseman was named an All-Star in both 1989 and 1990. In 1990, he captured the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards in a breakout year. Gruber's power soared with a .274/.330/.512 line, 31 home runs, 118 RBIs, and an .842 OPS.

It marked his only season above a .465 slugging percentage and .780 OPS. That year also saw him record career-bests with 48 walks and 94 strikeouts.

Aaron Hill (2B-2009)

Hill’s 13-year career featured consistent contact hitting, as shown by his .266/.323/.417 slash line, .740 OPS, and 96 wRC+. He played his first six seasons with the Blue Jays before moving on to the Diamondbacks, Brewers, Red Sox, and Giants. Over his career, he exceeded 20 home runs, 70 RBIs, and an .800 OPS three times. Notably, across those three seasons, Hill earned two Silver Slugger Awards (2009 and 2012).

Hill's 2009 season surprised many after he played only 55 games in 2008. On May 29 of that year, a collision with teammate David Eckstein resulted in a Grade II concussion, ending his season. Before 2009, his career highs were 17 home runs and 78 RBIs, both set in 2007.

In 2009, Hill's performance earned him the Silver Slugger, AL Comeback Player of the Year, and his only All-Star selection—he hit .286/.330/.499 with 36 homers, 108 RBIs, and an .829 OPS.

Looking ahead, we will find out on October 23 who this season's American League Silver Slugger finalists are, with the winners being announced on November 7. While many Blue Jays have had standout seasons, George Springer is the most likely Blue Jay to contend for the award at the DH position.

Addison Barger, among third basemen, could also be named as a finalist, though Bo Bichette—who missed the last month of the season due to a knee sprain—might have been a contender for shortstop.