Dodgers’ Mookie Betts wins 6th Silver Slugger award

Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts won a Silver Slugger award Thursday for the sixth time in his career.

Betts batted .307 with a .408 on-base percentage and .579 slugging percentage in 152 regular-season games, finishing with a career-high 39 home runs and 107 RBIs. He’s won the award three times as a Dodger and three times with the Boston Red Sox.

Four other Dodgers – first baseman Freddie Freeman, designated hitter J.D. Martinez, third baseman Max Muncy and catcher Will Smith – were among the three finalists for a Silver Slugger award in the National League, but none of them won.

One player per position is chosen for the award in both the American and National League; an additional Silver Slugger award is given to a “utility player” in each league.

The Dodgers were also a finalist for the first team-wide Silver Slugger award, given to one club in each league. In the National League, that award went to the Atlanta Braves, who led the NL in runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.

A vote of MLB managers and coaches decides the Silver Slugger Award winners. Each team is allotted four votes, given to the manager and three coaches of his choice. Votes are based on a combination of offensive statistics including OBP, OPS, OPS+, home runs, hits, RBIs and batting average as well as the managers’ and coaches’ general impressions of a player’s overall offensive value.

Betts will receive a three-foot tall Silver Slugger award from Louisville Slugger, fashioned in the shape of a bat. Each trophy bears a custom engraving of the recipient’s name along with the names of the other Silver Slugger winners in that player’s league.