2025 AL Silver Slugger Shockers: Which Surprising Stars Outsmarted the Heavy Hitters?

The curtain has officially fallen on the American League’s Silver Slugger awards, unveiling 10 standout players and one powerhouse team in a lively Friday FanSided stream. Right on the heels of Thursday’s National League announcements, the spotlight switches to the AL’s finest hitters – those juggernauts who knocked it out of the park, literally and figuratively, all season long. This coveted prize, handed out by the sharp eyes of managers and coaches, celebrates the absolute best offensive forces in baseball, and this year’s roster reads like a who’s who of baseball brilliance.

Among this elite group are three heavy hitters locked in the AL MVP race — Aaron Judge of the Yankees, Cal Raleigh with the Mariners, and José Ramírez from the Guardians — each bringing jaw-dropping numbers and electrifying performances. Raleigh’s record-smashing 60 homers as a catcher alone rewrote the rulebook, while Judge’s powerhouse season (.331 average, 53 homers) reminded us why he’s a two-time MVP. Add in a rookie sensation like Nick Kurtz of the Athletics clinching a Silver Slugger right out of the gate, and you’ve got unexpected storylines mixing with the expected fireworks. And let’s not forget George Springer, the Blue Jays’ hero whose clutch hitting secured his spot as the league’s best designated hitter.

Despite postseason fireworks from the Blue Jays and Mariners, the New York Yankees walked away with the team Silver Slugger, a nod to their relentless, well-rounded lineup that keeps fans buzzing. The list of winners goes beyond the stars too — a batch of first-timers who made sure their names won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Honestly, this haul of talent is a testament to a season packed with heart, hustle, and those moments that make us all fall in love with baseball again and again.

LEARN MORE

The second half of the Silver Slugger award winners have been announced, with 10 players and one team awarded the honor Friday in a FanSided stream. After the National League Silver Slugger awards were announced Thursday, it was time for the American League.

The Silver Slugger is given to the best offensive players of the year, as determined by managers and coaches throughout the league.

Notably, three of the winners are also the three players in the AL MVP race: New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez. Judge, already a two-time MVP, is coming off one of his best seasons, hitting .331 with 53 homers. Raleigh set a new precedent for what a catcher can do at the plate, hitting 60 homers.

In a testament to his offensive power in a record-breaking season, Raleigh earns his first Silver Slugger award — one of six first-time winners in the field. Another player taking home his first Silver Slugger is, stunningly, a rookie, as Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz kicks off his career with a major honor.

Additionally, Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer, who helped send the Blue Jays to the World Series, missed out on the outfielder award but took home the DH honor as one of the best hitters in the league.

Although both the Blue Jays and Mariners went further in the postseason, the Yankees ended up taking home the team award, boosted by a well-rounded lineup.