KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Broadcasting) — Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. have been named winners of the 2024 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award, as announced this evening by Louisville Slugger.

Perez was named the winner behind three other American League finalists at the catcher position: Houston’s Yainer Diaz, Oakland’s Shea Langeliers and Seattle’s Cal Raleigh. This marks Salvy’s fifth career Silver Slugger Award following wins in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021, extending his franchise record ahead of Hall of Famer George Brett, who won the award three times.

Salvy became the ninth player to win at least five Louisville Silver Slugger Awards as a catcher since the award was established in 1980, joining Mike Piazza. (10), Iván Rodríguez (7), Brian McCann (6) by Lance Parrish (6),Gary Carter (5), Joe Mauer (5), Jorge Posada (5) and Buster Posey (5).

Perez also played 5 times Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner now becomes second catcher to win five awards Rawlings He joins Hall of Famer Pudge Rodríguez, who has won a Gold Glove and five Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger awards, 13 Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger Awards.

Among qualified American League catchers in 2024 (at least 50% of plate appearances at the position), Perez ranks No. 1 in RBI (104), on-base percentage (.330), slugging percentage (.456), OPS (.786) and home run took place. -base hits (55), 2nd in batting average (.271), and 3rd in hits (160) and home runs (27).

Salvy’s 104 RBIs were the 2nd most ever by a catcher (at least 50% games) in his age-34-plus season, trailing only Carlton Fisk, who had 107 RBIs at age 37 in 1985.

Salvy appeared in 158 games in 2024, the 2nd highest total of his 13-year career, making 90 starts. His 27 home runs were the 2nd highest total of his career and he marked his eighth season with at least 20 HRs. Perez ranked 2nd among all Major League players with 29 leading RBIs, trailing only Aaron Judge (32).

Witt Jr. won the first-ever Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award after besting two other American League finalists at shortstop: Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson and Texas’ Corey Seager.

Witt Jr. became the first shortstop in Royals history to win the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award. In 2024, he led all Major League players with a .332 batting average and 211 hits. 1st in runs (125), RBI (109), on-base percentage (.389), slugging percentage (.588), OPS (.977), extra-base hits (.977) among qualified shortstops in the American League ranked . 88) and games (161).

Witt Jr. He hit 32 home runs (2nd among AL shortstops) and with 30 stolen bases, becoming the first shortstop in Major League history to record consecutive 30/30 seasons. He also became the second player (regardless of position) to lead the Majors in batting average during a 30/30 season, joining Mookie Betts in 2018.

Witt Jr. also won Rawlings He is now the 13th different defender to win the Gold Glove Award for the first time this season (18th occurrence). Rawlings Gold Glove and the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award in the same season and his first since Brandon Crawford in 2015.

This marked the third time in Royals history that two Louisville Sluggers won the Silver Slugger Award in the same season, following 1980 (Brett and Willie Wilson) and 1982 (Wilson and Hal McRae). The Royals, along with the Yankees, are one of only two American League teams with multiple winners this season.

Perez and Witt Jr. Including the Royals combined for 11 players for 18 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards.

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