Andrés Giménez and José Ramírez Silver Slugger finalists for Guardians

The 2022 Cleveland Guardians played a unique style of offense, putting the ball in play, stringing hits together and not relying on the home run. Despite having the sixth-most hits in MLB, they finished the season right in the middle of the pack with 698 runs, which ranked 15th in the league, ahead of just the Rays among teams that made the postseason. However, Cleveland ranked 29th in MLB with just 127 home runs. The only team that hit less was the Tigers with 110.

While slugging was not their M.O. this season, they do have two finalists for the 2022 Silver Slugger Awards. The Silver Slugger recognizes the top offensive player at each position in each league. There are four finalists announced for each position, which will be voted on by three coaches and the manager from each team in the league, with the winners being announced on November 10.

Let’s take a look at Cleveland’s two finalists for the 2022 season and their competition in the ongoing voting.

Second Baseman Andrés Giménez Nominated for First Time

The first of Cleveland’s two finalists is second baseman Andrés Giménez. The 24-year-old just completed his first full major-league season after playing 49 games with the Mets in 2020 before being traded to the Guardians as part of the deal that sent Francisco Lindor to New York. Last season, Giménez played in 68 games, but hit just .218. This year marked a huge breakout for him, where he has begun to fulfill the promise that made him one of the top prospects in baseball while coming up in the Mets organization.

This season, Giménez hit .297 with 17 home runs, 69 RBI, 66 runs scored and 20 stolen bases (while getting caught just three times). Regardless of whether he wins the Silver Slugger this season or not, the Guardians have to be incredibly encouraged by his massive breakout, and the return on that blockbuster trade with the Mets.

Giménez is nominated along with Houston’s Jose Altuve, who has won the award five times, Texas’ Marcus Semien (who won last year), and the Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu, who was interestingly nominated twice this year (for both second base and the utility player award). Altuve had a monster season, batting .300 with 28 home runs, 57 RBI and 103 runs scored. He added 18 stolen bases for what seems to be on paper the best all-around offensive output of the group this year. Semien hit .248 with 26 home runs, 83 RBI, 101 runs and 25 steals. LeMahieu seems more likely to win the utility award after hitting .261 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI.