Dozier for Silver Slugger

[stringer bell]

Brian Dozier's home run barrage has lifted his numbers this year from good to extraordinary. A few days ago I wrote a blog entry where I stated that Dozier wouldn't win any national awards despite his outstanding season. With the new record for homers by an AL second baseman established and a chance to set a record for all second basemen possible along with a chance of leading all of baseball in homers, I have changed my mind. Dozier might win a Silver Slugger award and a decent case could be made for deserving that award.

 

I know such awards don't mean that much, but some recognition for a truly historic season might be in order. Dozier's principal competition would be Altuve, with Cano and Pedroia also having fine years.

[jimmer]

I'd still give it to Altuve, but it'd be nice if Dozier got it.

[Winston Smith]

Altuve should win it. Higher ave and obp with about the same runs and rbi. Homeruns aren't everything after all.

It would have been nice if Dozier had shown up the first two months when a good season was still possible.

 

[jimmer]

 

Altuve should win it. Higher ave and obp with about the same runs and rbi. Homeruns aren't everything after all.

 

Exactly.

 

Altuve has a higher wRC+ as well.  This isn't a knock on Dozier.  He's had a great season and we've all enjoyed watching him surge, but Altuve is a frontrunner for MVP and the big reason why is his offense has been awesome all around.

[Thrylos]

2016  second basemen:

WAR

 

Jose Altuve 6.7
Brian Dozier 5.9
Daniel Murphy 5.5
Dustin Pedroia 5.4
Robinson Cano 5.1

 

wRC+

 

Murphy 158
Altuve 154
Matt Carpenter 142
Dozier 142
Cano 135

wOBA

 

Murphy .411
Altuve .398
DJ LeMahieu .389
Dozier .386
Carpenter .384

 

OPS

 

Murphy .990
Altuve .950
Dozier .929
Carpenter .910
LeMahieu .905

 

Depending on whether someone thinks that defense matters in awarding silver sluggers or not, it should be either Murphy (defense does not matter) or Altuve (defense matters.) 

 

My belief is that SS is complementary to GG, so defense does not matter, and Murphy should get it (unless those numbers change by the end of the season.)

Dozier a solid third. 

[jimmer]

 

2016  second basemen:

WAR

 

Jose Altuve 6.7
Brian Dozier 5.9
Daniel Murphy 5.5
Dustin Pedroia 5.4
Robinson Cano 5.1

 

wRC+

 

Murphy 158
Altuve 154
Matt Carpenter 142
Dozier 142
Cano 135

wOBA

 

Murphy .411
Altuve .398
DJ LeMahieu .389
Dozier .386
Carpenter .384

 

OPS

 

Murphy .990
Altuve .950
Dozier .929
Carpenter .910
LeMahieu .905

 

Depending on whether someone thinks that defense matters in awarding silver sluggers or not, it should be either Murphy (defense does not matter) or Altuve (defense matters.) 

 

My belief is that SS is complementary to GG, so defense does not matter, and Murphy should get it (unless those numbers change by the end of the season.)

Dozier a solid third. 

Well, two things. 

 

First, WAR includes defense and this is an offensive award.

 

Second, you're mixing leagues. I believe the AL and NL each get their own silver sluggers, no?

[nicksaviking]

Are the Silver Slugger Award voters using wRC and WAR to determine this stuff? I really don't know, I haven't followed the award in a long time, it just used to go to the best power hitting player at each position. They used to look at HR and RBI totals and then if it was close, they'd go back and look at the HRs again. Unless this is the one award that has changed with the times, I'd think there's a good chance Dozier may be ahead of Altuve.

[jimmer]

 

Are the Silver Slugger Award voters using wRC and WAR to determine this stuff? I really don't know, I haven't followed the award in a long time, it just used to go to the best power hitting player at each position. They used to look at HR and RBI totals and then if it was close, they'd go back and look at the HRs again. Unless this is the one award that has changed with the times, I'd think there's a good chance Dozier may be ahead of Altuve.

I hope not WAR (since it includes defense), but hopefully wRC+ is included in the thought process (though I doubt it, it's the managers and coaches who vote for this).

 

With Altuve being a strong person in the MVP mix and about to win the batting title in a landslide, I still thinks he ends up winning.  Better BA, OBP, OPS, OPS+ and wRC+.  It should be best offensive player not just best HR hitter.

 

But, again, managers and coaches.  Mostly old school people.

[stringer bell]

My thought included the awards already issued--Altuve won a SS & GG last year and was the All-Star starter. Dozier may well break a HR record for 2B that has stood for over 40 years and for him to receive nothing for that is odd. Altuve's numbers are better, but Dozier's are close enough to merit argument. If the numbers narrow even further, I think Dozier has a chance and should be considered.

[Doomtints]

The Silver Slugger, like all baseball awards, likely doesn't go by any advanced metrics.  So we're talking average, on base %, slugging, and dingers here.  Certainly nothing more advanced than OPS.

 

Historically, hitting lots of dingers and having high batting averages have been heavily favored.  Dozier has the HR side covered, but Altuve looks more valuable as a hitter with his shiny batting average and higher OPS.  

 

As this is decided by voting, remember it's also a popularity contest.  So if you plan to start a nasty rumor about Jose Altuve, now's the time.  

[snepp]

When did Washington move to the AL?  

 

 

 

The nerd in me says it's clearly Altuve's, but **** that, give it to Dozier.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'd give to Altuve, twice if it was allowed. I love what Dozier has done but Altuve is the complete package.

[stringer bell]

When did Washington move to the AL?  

1901

[stringer bell]

The Silver Slugger, like all baseball awards, likely doesn't go by any advanced metrics.  So we're talking average, on base %, slugging, and dingers here.  Certainly nothing more advanced than OPS.

 

Historically, hitting lots of dingers and having high batting averages have been heavily favored.  Dozier has the HR side covered, but Altuve looks more valuable as a hitter with his shiny batting average and higher OPS.  

 

As this is decided by voting, remember it's also a popularity contest.  So if you plan to start a nasty rumor about Jose Altuve, now's the time.

I heard he was really only 5-5 and a half.

[Bark's Lounge]

It's a shame for us, but this has been the "Year of the Second Baseman".

 

Altuve wins it in the AL

Murphy in the NL

 

Just our luck Dozier goes gang busters, and will most definitely come up short. In a majority of baseball seasons this would not be the case.

 

But, on the brighter side of things, Brian Dozier has 40 HRs and Altuve and Murphy don't...

 

So **** them!!!

[Bark's Lounge]

...and to add to my last post - let's keep cheering for Dozier to hit some more HRs and break Davey Johnson's single season record  for 2Bs and lead both leagues in HRs in 2016. Those are both cool stats I can save for a rainy day and enjoy in my Memory Lane of Fond Baseball Memories - I'll take both, thank you!

 

Please?

[snepp]

Preach on Bark.

[Champuckett]

#41

[stringer bell]

A homer championship plus the Major League record for homers more than trumps Altuve's second batting championship IMHO. By WAR, OPS and just about every metric, Altuve has had the better season, I agree, but it will come to a vote and I think the case can be made for the Twins' guy. The numbers from metrics are getting tighter. Dozier at this minute has an OPS of .935 and Altuve is just ahead of him at .952.

[Shaitan]

I don't know the technicalities of the award, but the word "slugger" in its title has me thinking it's about HR more than other stats.

 

[SweetOne69]

Since the Silver Slugger is voted on by the coaches and managers, I doubt that any advanced metrics come into play.  They probably go by BA, Slg and Obp for the most part.

 

That being said, since Dozier broke the HR record for AL 2B that alone will increase his vote total.

[EddieMatthews]

Joe Mauer has 5 Silver Sluggers.  I doubt that home runs convinced the judges in his case.  I wonder if BA is a factor, although singles are hardly the tool of sluggers.  OPS includes OBP which includes walks.  The criteria is not specific, and the award is voted by managers and coaches.  So maybe Dozier will get some sympathy votes.  A few more home runs and 100/100 in runs and RBI will also help.  It may take more than that to overcome Altuve's .340 BA.

 

I heard that Altuve used an email server located in his basement, and hasn't disclosed his health records or income tax filings.  He also has said deplorable things about pitching coaches.  Just saying.

[jimmer]

'The Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball (MLB). These voters consider several offensive categories in selecting the winners, including batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, in addition to "coaches' and managers' general impressions of a player's overall offensive value'

[Mike Sixel]

 

'The Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball (MLB). These voters consider several offensive categories in selecting the winners, including batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, in addition to "coaches' and managers' general impressions of a player's overall offensive value'

 

Was that written in 1970?

[jimmer]

 

Was that written in 1970?

http://www.slugger.com/en-us/silver-slugger-awards