Soto named National League Silver Slugger

For the second consecutive season, Juan Soto was honored as a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winner for National League outfielders. Louisville Slugger made the announcement Thursday on MLB Network. Soto joins Ian Desmond (2012-14), Anthony Rendon (2014, 2019), Daniel Murphy (2016-17) and Ryan Zimmerman (2009-10) as the only players in Nationals history (2005-pres.) to win more than one Silver Slugger Award.

Soto, 23, led all National League outfielders in batting average (.313), on-base percentage (.465), runs scored (111) and walks (145) while ranking second in OPS (.999) and fourth in slugging percentage (.534). On the season, Soto hit .313 with 20 doubles, two triples, 29 home runs, 95 RBI, 145 walks, nine stolen bases and 111 runs scored in 151 games.

"Congratulations to Juan on yet another incredible season and his second Silver Slugger Award," said Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo. "He put together an MVP-caliber season and is very deserving of all of the accolades that continue to come his way. He's a pleasure to watch every day and I couldn't be happier for him."

"I am so honored to win this award again and I am very proud to be included in this year's group of winners," Juan Soto said. "I want to thank my family who is always there to support me every day. I also want to thank my manager Dave Martinez, my hitting coaches Kevin Long and Pat Roessler and the rest of the staff for working with me and pushing me to be the best I can be. This award means a lot to me because it is voted on by opposing managers and coaches. I try to play the game the right way and having their respect means a lot to me."

A finalist for the 2021 National League Most Valuable Player award, Soto led all of Major League Baseball in on-base percentage (.465) and walks (145) in his fourth professional season. He ranked second among National League hitters in OPS (.999), batting average (.313) and runs scored (111). He was the only qualified player in Major League Baseball with more walks than strikeouts (93), leading the league with a 1.56 walk-to-strikeout ratio.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, Soto led National League position players in wins above replacement (7.0). According to FanGraphs.com, he ranked among National League players in wOBA (2nd, .420), xwOBA (2nd, .426), wRC+ (2nd, 163), and wins above replacement (3rd, 6.6).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS TO WIN LOUISVILLE SLUGGER SILVER SLUGGER AWARDS (2005-21)

* 2021: OF Juan Soto
* 2020: OF Juan Soto
* 2019: 3B Anthony Rendon
* 2017: 2B Daniel Murphy
* 2016: 2B Daniel Murphy, C Wilson Ramos
* 2015: OF Bryce Harper
* 2014: SS Ian Desmond, 3B Anthony Rendon
* 2013: SS Ian Desmond
* 2012: SS Ian Desmond, 1B Adam LaRoche, P Stephen Strasburg
* 2010: 3B Ryan Zimmerman
* 2009: 3B Ryan Zimmerman
* 2006: OF Alfonso Soriano