SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Despite a slow start that didn't meet his lofty expectations, Julio Rodriguez was still rewarded as one of the top offensive outfielders in Major League Baseball.
On Thursday, Rodriguez was named as one of three American League outfielders to win the Silver Slugger award along with Houston's Kyle Tucker and Chicago's Luis Robert.
It's the second straight season Rodriguez has taken home a Silver Slugger. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and shortstop J.P. Crawford were named finalists at their respective positions but didn't receive enough votes from opposing coaches and managers.
On his Instagram, Rodriguez posted the message: "Grateful, never ever satisfied."
In 155 games, Rodriguez posted a .275/.333/.485 slash line with 37 doubles, two triples, 32 homers, 37 stolen bases, 102 runs scored and 103 RBI.
He posted the fourth-highest FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement in the AL at 5.9, finished second in the AL with 180 hits and 71 extra-base hits and posted the third-most RBI and stolen bases.
Rodriguez also had the Mariners' first 30-homer/30-stolen-base season since Alex Rodriguez in 1998. Bobby Witt Jr. was the only other AL player to achieve the feat this season.
He is the seventh Mariners player to win multiple Silver Slugger Awards, joining Ken Griffey Jr. (seven), Edgar Martinez (five), Alex Rodriguez (four), Ichiro Suzuki (three), Bret Boone (two) and Nelson Cruz (two).
Since the award was first given out in 1980, only five players have won a Silver Slugger in their rookie season and followed that up with another in their sophomore campaign: catchers Benito Santiago (1987-88) and Mike Piazza (1993-94), outfielder Mike Trout (2012-13), shortstop Corey Seager (2016-17) and Rodriguez.
Silver Slugger Awards presented by Louisville Slugger
(Selected by major league coaches and managers)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Catcher — Adley Rutschman, Baltimore
First base — Yandy Díaz, Tampa Bay
Second base — Marcus Semien, Texas
Third base — Rafael Devers, Boston
Shortstop — Corey Seager, Texas
Outfield — Kyle Tucker, Houston
Outfield — Julio Rodriguez, Seattle
Outfield — Luis Robert Jr., Chicago
Designated hitter — Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles
Utility — Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore
Team: Texas Rangers
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Catcher — William Contreras, Milwaukee
First base — Matt Olson, Atlanta
Second base — Luis Arraez, Miami
Third base — Austin Riley, Atlanta
Shortstop — Francisco Lindor, New York
Outfield — Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta
Outfield — Mookie Betts, Los Angeles
Outfield — Juan Soto, San Diego
Designated hitter — Bryce Harper, Philadelphia
Utility — Cody Bellinger, Chicago
Team: Atlanta Braves
