DJ LeMahieu Wins AL Silver Slugger Award for Second Base

DJ LeMahieu was awarded the 2019 Silver Slugger Award for American League second basemen Thursday evening, the first Silver Slugger of his career.

The Machine shines like Silver 🤩 @sluggernation pic.twitter.com/oMEkQQw71g
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 7, 2019

Sure, it might not be an MVP, but to be recognized as the best offensive player at your position has to feel pretty good. And LeMahieu was by all means deserving.

The 31-year-old set career highs in home runs (26), doubles (33) and RBI (102) in 2019, leading the Yankees to their first division title in seven years. His 6.0 WAR was seventh among American League position players.

LeMahieu’s .327 batting average was second in the AL behind Chicago’s Tim Anderson. The second baseman, who tore up Coors Field over his seven year stint with the Colorado Rockies, won a batting title in 2016 when he hit .348. Still, he had to wait until 2019 for his first Silver Slugger.

What a season for @Yankees 2B @DJLeMahieu: .327 average, 26 HRs, 102 RBIs and .893 OPS. And he wins his first career #SilverSlugger award. pic.twitter.com/NJnTvQOMBM
— Louisville Slugger (@sluggernation) November 7, 2019

Perhaps the most impressive statistic from his 2019 campaign was his remarkable average with runners in scoring position. LeMahieu hit .389, the best among all qualifying players in baseball, accounting for 73 of his runs batted in.

In case you needed a reminder, it seems like the Yankees made the right decision signing DJ to a two-year, $24 million contract in January, electing to steer clear of the Manny Machado and Bryce Harper sweepstakes.