Mariners star Julio Rodriguez named an AL Silver Slugger winner

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Despite a slow start that didn’t meet his lofty expectations, Julio Rodriguez was still rewarded as one of the top offensive outfielders in Major League Baseball.

On Thursday, Rodriguez was named as one of three American League outfielders to win the Silver Slugger award.

It’s the second straight season Rodriguez has taken home a Silver Slugger award. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and shortstop J.P. Crawford were named finalists at their respective positions but didn’t receive enough votes from opposing coaches and managers.

In 155 games, Rodriguez posted a .275/.333/.485 slash line with 37 doubles, two triples, 32 homers, 37 stolen bases, 102 runs scored and 103 RBI.

He posted the fourth-highest FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement in the AL at 5.9, finished second in the AL with 180 hits and 71 extra-base hits and posted the third-most RBI and stolen bases.

Rodriguez also posted the Mariners’ first 30-homer/30-stolen-base season since Alex Rodriguez in 1998. Bobby Witt Jr. was the only other AL player to achieve the feat this season.

2023 Silver Slugger Awards

As selected by major league coaches and managers and presented by Louisville Slugger:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Catcher — Adley Rutschman, Baltimore

First base — Yandy Díaz, Tampa Bay

Second base — Marcus Semien, Texas

Third base — Rafael Devers, Boston

Shortstop — Corey Seager, Texas

Outfield — Kyle Tucker, Houston

Outfield — Julio Rodriguez, Seattle

Outfield — Luis Robert Jr., Chicago

Designated hitter — Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles

Utility — Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore

Team: Texas Rangers

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Catcher — William Contreras, Milwaukee

First base — Matt Olson, Atlanta

Second base — Luis Arraez, Miami

Third base — Austin Riley, Atlanta

Shortstop — Francisco Lindor, New York

Outfield — Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta

Outfield — Mookie Betts, Los Angeles

Outfield — Juan Soto, San Diego

Designated hitter — Bryce Harper, Philadelphia

Utility — Cody Bellinger, Chicago

Team: Atlanta Braves