The annual Silver Slugger awards are being announced tonight and while
Jones, who won his second career
And unlike the Gold Glove award, the Silver Slugger is still awarded to the top outfielders regardless of specific outfield position. Last season, the Gold Glove began giving awards at specific outfield positions and Jones won this season as a center fielder.
One statistic, however, could favor Jones with the Silver Slugger. He ranks fifth in the AL in offensive wins above replacement (WAR) -- a stat that rates a player's offensive value -- with 5.2, second highest among outfielders to league leader
Last season, the top three AL outfielders in offensive WAR --
And if other offensive categories come into play -- Jones was fourth in the AL in total bases (327), fifth in runs (103), seventh in hits (186) and eighth in doubles (39) -- he is worth the award.
Having said that, Trout and
That leaves one spot. And the Silver Slugger is heavily based on run production. So it would be difficult to edge
No Orioles player has won the award since 2008, when designated hitter
This year’s awards will be announced tonight on