The MLB announced Wednesday that Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton and pitcher Daniel Hudson have each won Silver Slugger awards, according to the Diamondbacks Twitter account. The awards are given out to the best offensive player at their position in both respective leagues every season.
In 159 games this season, Upton hit 31 home runs to go along with 105 runs (3rd in NL) and 88 RBIs with a line of .289/.369/.529. In his breakthrough potential MVP season, Upton also set new career-highs in games played, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, on base percentage and slugging percentage while cutting down his strike out rate to one every .21 at bats (also a career best).
The other two players to earn Silver Sluggers for the outfield position were the Dodgers' Matt Kemp and the Brewers' Ryan Braun, the two players widely considered to be Upton's main competitors in the NL MVP race.
In 65 at bats this season, Hudson was the definition of helping your own cause, racking up 18 hits (three of which were doubles), five runs, 14 RBIs and even one home run (hit against the Ted Lilly at Chase Field on July 17). Hudson finished the year with a .277/.309/.369 line to go along with a record of 16-12 with 169 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.49 in 33 starts.
Upton and Hudson are only the third and fourth D-backs in the history of the franchise to win Silver Slugger awards. Outfielder Luis Gonzalez won one in 2001 and pitcher Micah Owings also received the award in his first stint with the organization back in 2007.