3 Appalachian League Alums win Silver Slugger Awards

Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies runs the bases after hitting a solo home run off the first pitch from Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tanner Roark in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) ORG XMIT: OHJMOTK (John Minchillo/AP)

By Manny Randhawa

November 8, 2019

Mitch Garver (Elizabethton 2013), Ozzie Albies (Danville 2014), and Ronald Acuña Jr. (Danville 2015) win 2019 Silver Slugger Awards.

CATCHER
AL winner:Mitch Garver , Twins (first)
Garver had a tremendous breakout season with a .995 OPS (156 OPS+) and 31 home runs in just 311 at-bats for the Twins. Entering the 2019 campaign, Garver had seven homers in 348 career at-bats between '17 and '18. With Jason Castro on the free-agent market, Minnesota can breathe easier knowing Garver -- who also improved defensively -- is its catcher for the foreseeable future.
SECOND BASE
NL winner:Ozzie Albies , Braves (first)
Another first-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Albies led the NL with 189 hits to help Atlanta win its second straight NL East title. He slashed .295/.352/.500 with 43 doubles, eight triples and 24 homers, batting all over manager Brian Snitker's lineup.
OUTFIELD
Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves (first)
Acuña won the first of what will probably be many Silver Slugger Awards after we got to watch him over a full season for the first time. The 2018 NL Rookie of the Year Award winner became the youngest player to hit 40 or more homers (41) and steal 30 or more bases (37). He posted an .883 OPS as one of the key sluggers who led Atlanta to a second straight NL East championship.