Desmond, Rendon win 2014 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards

Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond and third baseman Anthony Rendon were named recipients of 2014 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards on Thursday night, the third such honor for Desmond and first for Rendon. This is just the second time in the Nationals' short history that they've had two players honored in the same season with the National League's top offensive award (also 2012). "Our entire organization is exceptionally proud of Ian and Anthony," said Nationals President of Baseball Operations and GM Mike Rizzo. "These awards confirm what we already knew: that they are two of the best offensive infielders in the game, and we consider them equally talented defensively. After the seasons each of these homegrown players put together, we're honored that they did it with our uniform on their backs." Leading all NL shortstops with 154 games played, Desmond hit .255 with a .313 on-base percentage and a .430 slugging percentage. He led all NL shortstops in home runs (24) and RBI (91), while finishing second in hits (151), runs (73), and placing among the top 10 in doubles (T-4th, 26), triples (10th, 3) and walks (7th, 46). This the third consecutive season in which Desmond has been named a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winner at shortstop -- making him the first Nationals player ever to take home three such awards - and putting him in elite company. Since the award's inception in 1980, Desmond is the first National League shortstop to win back-to-back-to-back honors since Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin won five straight from 1988-1992. "I am extremely humbled and blessed to have won this award for the third straight year," Desmond said. "It's a testament to my teammates, who surround me in the lineup, the trainers - Lee Kuntz, Steve Gober and John Hsu - for keeping me on the field, and obviously the coaching staff for bringing out the best in me every day. "As much of an honor as this is, I still feel like there are a lot of things I can improve on, and will improve on. I'm going to continue to work hard so I can be better next year." Adding 24 stolen bases to his 24 home runs this season, Desmond became just the fourth shortstop in Major League history to notch a 20/20 season at least three times in his career. Rendon, who established himself as one of the league's best infielders in a breakout sophomore season in the Major Leagues, played both second and third base for the Nationals in 2014. He hit .287 with a .351 on-base percentage and a .473 slugging percentage. Leading the National League in runs scored with 111, Rendon clubbed 21 home runs as part of 66 extra-base hits, while walking 58 times and stealing 17 bases. "While I don't play this game for the individual accolades, I'm incredibly honored to receive this award and to be mentioned in the same breath as these great players -- especially my teammate and friend, Ian Desmond," Rendon said. "I would like to thank all of the coaches, trainers and teammates who I've been with along the way. Without them, I wouldn't be in a position to accept this." Exclusively as a third baseman, where he played 134 of his 153 games, Rendon hit .288 with a .353 on-base percentage and a .475 slugging percentage. Nineteen of his 21 home runs came while he was playing the hot corner, as did 53 of his 66 extra-base hits, 72 of his 83 RBI and 89 of his 111 runs scored. Rendon, who earned himself the nickname 'Tony Two Bags' because of his penchant for doubles, finished the year with 16 three-hit games - tied for the third-best mark in the NL with Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman and San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey. According to Fangraphs.com, Rendon's 6.6 Wins Above Replacement for the 2014 season was tops among all NL infielders, and second only to Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (6.8). NATIONALS TO WIN LOUISVILLE SILVER SLUGGER AWARDS (2005-2014) 2006 OF Alfonso Soriano 2009 3B Ryan Zimmerman 2010 3B Ryan Zimmerman 2012 SS Ian Desmond, 1B Adam LaRoche, P Stephen Strasburg 2013 SS Ian Desmond 2014 SS Ian Desmond, 3B Anthony Rendon