Harper wins first Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was named a National League outfield winner of the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award on Thursday night, the first such honor of his career. This is the fourth consecutive season in which the Nationals have had a Silver Slugger Award winner, and the first time the organization has had an outfield honoree since Alfonso Soriano in 2006. "We are proud to see Bryce earn his first Silver Slugger award," said Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo. "Watching Bryce play the way he did this year was a true pleasure. "His historic season at the plate is a tribute to the type of talent he is, and I know I'm not alone when I say that I cannot wait to see what is next for this young man." Harper, who celebrated his 23rd birthday shortly after the 2015 season concluded, led Major League outfielders in a myriad of offensive categories. They included: batting average (.330), on-base percentage (.460), slugging percentage (.649), walks (124), OPS (1.109), and at-bats per home run (12.40). He led National League outfielders in home runs (42), extra-base hits (81) and at-bats per RBI (5.26). The Las Vegas native was also tops in Major League Baseball in Wins Above Replacement for the 2015 season with 9.5 (according to FanGraphs.com). "I'd like to say 'Thank you,' to the managers and coaches who awarded me with this incredible honor," Harper said. "Most of all, I'd like to thank my teammates, the Nationals coaching staff and the training staff. I am humbled by their unwavering support and sacrifices, without which this would not be possible. It is a privilege and an honor to be recognized alongside this group of great players." With Harper's honor, the Nationals are the only National League team to have a player earn a Silver Slugger Award in each of the past four seasons. Joining them with active streaks of at least four seasons in the American League are the Detroit Tigers (2011-2015) and the Los Angeles Angels (2012-2015). NATIONALS TO WIN LOUISVILLE SLUGGER SILVER SLUGGER AWARDS (2005-2015) 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 2015 RF Bryce Harper