BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 28: Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Pete Alonso (25) celebrates his home run during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles on June 28, 2026, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire)
After not having a finalist during award season, Pete Alonso broke through. The Orioles’ first baseman, who led the American League with 43 home runs and 113 RBIs in his first year with the team, is a finalist for a Silver Slugger award.
Alonso’s competition at first base is the Boston Red Sox’s Willson Contreras.
Alonso is seeking to win a Silver Slugger in consecutive years. The 31-year-old won the award with the New York Mets in 2025.
Alonso’s 43 home runs were tied for the eighth highest Orioles history, and his 113 RBIs were the most since Chris Davis’ 117 in 2015.
Davis was the last Oriole first baseman to win a Silver Slugger in 2013. Alonso is seeking the fifth by an Oriole.
Outfielder Anthony Santander was the last Oriole to win a Silver Slugger in 2024.
Besides Davis, Eddie Murray (1983-1984) and Rafael Palmeiro (1998) won a Silver Slugger, which was first awarded in 1980.
Alonso won’t finish in the top 3 in American League Most Valuable Player award voting but will receive some down-ballot votes. That will be announced on November 12th.
The Silver Slugger is voted on by managers and three coaches of each team. The winners will be announced on November 17th at 6 p.m. on FanSided Baseball Insiders YouTube Channel.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com
Starting pitcher Trevor Rogers is the most attractive of the Orioles’ free agents and many…
Question: What is the likelihood that the Orioles trade Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday or Colton…
Free agency has begun, and it’s time for the Orioles to begin thinking about life…
Introducing a new Bird Tapes content series, available to all subscribers, in which I read…