By Sam Bush
Phils catcher J. T. Realmuto just added a 2019 Silver Slugger award to his Gold Glove.
Which means the cost of his contract extension just went up a lot, whenever the three stooges who oversee the Phils get around to doing the deal.
Eight first-time honorees are among the 2019 Silver Slugger Award winners, which were announced Thursday. The annual awards go to the top hitters at each position.
The Atlanta Braves led the way with three NL Silver Slugger winners, all of them first-timers. In the AL, Mike Trout won the award for the seventh time in his career.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Catcher: *Mitch Garver, Minnesota Twins
First base: *Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians
Second base: DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees
Third base: *Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox
Outfield: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels; Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox; George Springer, Houston Astros
Designated hitter: Nelson Cruz, Minnesota Twins
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Catcher: J.T. Realmuto, PHILLIES
First base: *Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
Second base: *Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
Third base: Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals
Shortstop: Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies
Outfield: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers; *Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers; *Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves
Pitcher: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks
* – First-time winner
