Alex Bregman chasing rare 3B Silver Slugger award in Cubs history

Alex Bregman, who signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs last offseason, has erased memories of a slow start to his Cubs tenure with a massive second-half surge at the plate. Before the All-Star break, Bregman hit .241/.336/.359 with nine home runs and 15 doubles. In 51 games since, however, he has taken his production to another level, slashing .304/.378/.613 with 16 home runs and 15 doubles.

A 12-home-run August, highlighted by two three-homer games and another multi-homer performance, helped propel Bregman’s season total to 25 home runs, marking the fifth time in his career he has reached the milestone. That total currently ranks third most among third basemen in the National League, trailing only Max Muncy and Manny Machado, and is one reason why Bregman should be in the running for a silver slugger award at season end.

If Bregman becomes a finalist, which appears all but certain, and ultimately takes home the award, it would mark the second Silver Slugger of his career, with his first coming in 2019. It would also put him in rare company in Cubs history, as just the second third baseman in franchise history to win the award.

Alex Bregman is aiming to become just the second Chicago Cubs third baseman to win a Silver Slugger award

Since the Silver Slugger Award was introduced in 1980, the Cubs have had just one third baseman win it: Aramis Ramirez, who took home the award in 2011 after hitting 26 home runs and 35 doubles. Ramirez came close in 2004-06, posting at least 30 home runs and 30 doubles in each of those three seasons without winning the award.

That serves as a reminder of just how difficult it is to be recognized as the best hitter at a position in any given year. Still, Bregman has a strong case this season, leading the league in doubles with 30 and RBIs with 84 while also tying for the most walks with 71. Combined with his second-half home run surge, Bregman has arguably put together one of the strongest offensive resumes at his position. Ultimately, though, we’ll have to wait until the awards are announced in November to see if it is enough.

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