The Boston Red Sox’ season may be over before the World Series, but it was certainly a successful regular season for the offense and an exciting deep run in the playoffs. Three of their best hitters from 2021 have a chance to be rewarded for their accomplishments.
In total, the Red Sox have three finalists for the American League Silver Slugger awards: third baseman Rafael Devers, shortstop Xander Bogaerts, and outfielder Hunter Renfroe. One player at each position, including any three outfielders, will receive a Silver Slugger.
Here’s a rundown of the Red Sox’ Silver Slugger finalists and their competition…
Xander Bogaerts
Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the New York Yankees during the first inning of the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Bogaerts batted .295 with 23 home runs and 90 RBI, and led all qualifying shortstops in the AL with a .493 slugging percentage. The favorite, however, appears to be Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. The 23-year-old led all AL shortstops in home runs (29), RBIs (102), and hits (191).
The other finalists at SS are the Astros’ Carlos Correa and the White Sox’ Tim Anderson.
Rafael Devers
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 08: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 08, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Devers led all AL third basemen with 38 home runs and 113 RBIs, and led all qualifiers with a .279 batting average.
His prime competition for the Silver Slugger is Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez, who tied him atop the AL at third base with a .538 slugging percentage. Ramirez led the way at the position with his .893 OPS.
Kyle Seager of the Seattle Mariners (35 home runs) also received a nomination.
Hunter Renfroe
Sep 28, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Hunter Renfroe (10) hits a home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
One of Chaim Bloom’s more successful free-agent additions, Renfroe played 144 games as mainly the Red Sox’ starting right fielder. It’ll be harder for him to win a Silver Slugger than his teammates, though. He blasted 31 home runs, but that was good for “only” sixth among all AL outfielders.
Renfroe was also seventh among all outfielders in slugging (.501). He’s not out of the question for the award, but several other outfielders were right in his range in those stats, if not better.
The other finalists at OF are Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins, Toronto’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Teoscar Hernández, New York’s Aaron Judge, Houston’s Kyle Tucker, Seattle’s Mitch Haniger, and Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena. Judge feels like the only lock.
Rest of the AL Nominees
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 29: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 29, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Here’s the full list of AL finalists, as announced at MLB.com:
First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR), Yuli Gurriel (HOU), Matt Olson (OAK)
Second Base: Marcus Semien (TOR), Jose Altuve (HOU), DJ LeMahieu (NYY), Jorge Polanco (MIN)
Third Base: Rafael Devers (BOS), José Ramírez (CLE), Kyle Seager (SEA)
Shortstop: Carlos Correa (HOU), Xander Bogaerts (BOS), Tim Anderson (CWS), Bo Bichette (TOR)
Outfield: Cedric Mullins (BAL), Teoscar Hernández (TOR), Aaron Judge (NYY), Kyle Tucker (HOU), Mitch Haniger (SEA), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (TOR), Hunter Renfroe (BOS), Randy Arozarena (TB)
Catcher: Salvador Perez (KC), Mike Zunino (TB), Gary Sánchez (NYY)
Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani (LAA), Yordan Alvarez (HOU), Giancarlo Stanton (NYY), Joey Gallo (NYY), Nelson Cruz (TB)
NL nominees
MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 22: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals hits a two-run home run during the third inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 22, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MLB.com also announced the full list of Silver Slugger finalists in the National League. Here it is…
First Base: Freddie Freeman (ATL), Joey Votto (CIN), Paul Goldschmidt (STL), Max Muncy (LAD)
Second Base: Ozzie Albies (ATL), Jonathan India (CIN), Jake Cronenworth (SD), Justin Turner (LAD)
Third Base: Austin Riley (ATL), Manny Machado (SD), Nolan Arenado (STL), Patrick Wisdom (CHC)
Shortstop: Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD), Brandon Crawford (SF), Trea Turner (LAD), Willy Adames (MIL)
Outfield: Juan Soto (WAS), Nick Castellanos (CIN), Bryce Harper (PHI), Bryan Reynolds (PIT), Adam Duvall (ATL), Jesse Winker (CIN), Tyler O’Neill (STL)
Catcher: Buster Posey (SF), Will Smith (LAD), J.T. Realmuto (PHI), Omar Narváez (MIL)
Pitcher: Germán Márquez (COL), Max Fried (ATL), Jacob deGrom (NYM), Madison Bumgarner (ARI)