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The Silver Slugger award is one of the most illustrious positional awards in MLB. Only three players per position get named, and it symbolizes that you were a top hitter in your respective league at a certain position.
On Wednesday, the finalists for the National League Silver Slugger Awards were released, and the Atlanta Braves have two candidates who can potentially take away the hardware.
Braves' Matt Olson and Austin Riley named Silver Slugger finalists
The Atlanta Braves are represented by first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Austin Riley in the Silver Slugger Award race.
Starting with Austin Riley, it was a bit of a surprise when his name was seen on the finalists' list. He missed the last two months of the season with an abdominal injury. However, he is a two-time SS winner from back in 2021 and 2023. In 102 games this season, he posted a .260 average with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs. It likely won't be enough to win the award, but at least he's a finalist.
As for Matt Olson, he had another under-the-radar, but highly productive offensive season. He took home a Silver Slugger in 2023 after a monstrous season where he smashed 54 home runs and drove in 129 runs.
In 162 games this season, Olson clubbed 29 home runs, led the NL in doubles (41), and recorded 95 RBIs. His OPS+ was 138, and for what it's worth, Olson hasn't missed a single game in four consecutive seasons. He's in competition with Freddie Freeman and Pete Alonso in the NL, but he has more of a chance to win than Riley, who is up against Matt Chapman, Max Muncy, and Manny Machado.
The Silver Slugger Awards are released on Nov. 6.
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