Pierzynski wins first Silver Slugger Award

Posted November 09, 2012 9:30 am

By Daily Herald News Services

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski won his first career American League Silver Slugger Award as Major League Baseball handed out its topping hitting awards for positions in each league.

Pierzynski, 35, joins Carlton Fisk (1981, 1985 and 1988) as the only catchers in White Sox history to win the award, which is presented by Louisville Slugger to honor the best offensive performers at every position. The votes are cast by managers and coaches, and they cannot vote for their own players.

Pierzynski, now a free agent, hit .278 (133-479) with a career-high 27 home runs and 77 RBI in 135 games in 2012, his eighth season with the White Sox. His 27 home runs were the second-highest total in White Sox history by a catcher, trailing only Fisk’s 37 in 1985. Pierzynski also set career bests in runs scored (68), slugging percentage (.501) and OPS (.827) and matched his season high in RBI (also 2004).

Among AL players with a minimum of 100 games caught in 2012, Pierzynski ranked first in average, runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, OPS and total bases. He homered in a career-best five consecutive games from July 30-Aug. matching the franchise record (seventh time).

Pierzynski, who caught Philip Humber’s perfect game on April 21 at Seattle, eclipsed 1,000 innings caught for the 11th consecutive season, extending the longest active streak in baseball, and caught 100-plus games for the 12th straight season, tied for the fourth-longest streak in major-league history.

AL Silver Sluggers

Catcher: A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox

First base: Prince Fielder, Tigers

Second base: Robinson Cano, Yankees

Third base: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

Shortstop: Derek Jeter, Yankees

Outfield: Josh Hamilton, Rangers

Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels

Outfield: Josh Willingham, Twins

Designated hitter: Billy Butler, Royals

NL Silver Sluggers

Catcher: Buster Posey, Giants

First base: Adam LaRoche, Nationals

Second base: Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks

Third base: Chase Headley, Padres

Shortstop: Ian Desmond, Nationals

Outfield: Ryan Braun, Brewers

Outfield: Jay Bruce, Reds

Outfield: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates

Pitcher: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals

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