Yordan Alvarez added another nomination to his growing collection Thursday, becoming a finalist for the 2026 American League Silver Slugger Award at designated hitter. The Houston Astros were also selected as one of four finalists for the AL Offensive Team of the Year Award.
Alvarez will face Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice for the individual honor. Houston joins the Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, and Tampa Bay Rays in the team category.
Alvarez Holds the Statistical Advantage
Alvarez won the AL batting title and led the majors with a .316 average, .432 on-base percentage, .601 slugging percentage, and 1.033 OPS. He also recorded career highs with 42 home runs and 106 RBIs while drawing an MLB-leading 109 walks.
Rice produced a breakout season for New York, batting .264 with a .363 on-base percentage and .534 slugging percentage. He finished with 41 home runs, 97 RBIs, and an .897 OPS.
The comparison gives Alvarez a substantial advantage in nearly every major offensive category. Rice’s 41 home runs kept him within one of Alvarez, but Alvarez led him by 52 points in batting average, 69 points in on-base percentage, 67 points in slugging percentage, and 136 points in OPS.
A victory would give Alvarez the second Silver Slugger of his career. He previously won the award at designated hitter in 2022.
Astros Recognized for Their Power
Houston’s nomination for the AL Offensive Team of the Year Award comes after the Astros led the majors with 226 home runs. They scored 734 runs while finishing fourth in MLB with a .417 team slugging percentage.
The power numbers stood out despite an uneven overall season. Houston batted .242 with a .315 on-base percentage, and the lineup frequently depended on Alvarez and several other established hitters to generate its offense.
The team award recognizes overall offensive production rather than wins or postseason results. The Astros finished 81-81 and were eliminated in the Wild Card Series, but their league-leading home-run total kept them among the finalists.
Peña Left Off the Finalist List
Jeremy Peña had also been considered a possible Silver Slugger candidate after batting .277 with a .325 on-base percentage and .477 slugging percentage. His 22 home runs matched his career high despite injuries limiting him to 447 at-bats.
Peña did not advance at shortstop. Kevin McGonigle, Bobby Witt Jr., and Zach Neto were selected as the three AL finalists at the position.
Major-league managers and coaches vote for the Silver Slugger Awards and cannot vote for players from their own teams. The winners will be announced Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. CT.
