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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. nominated for the American League Silver Slugger Award for first base
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Nov 4, 2024, 13:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 4, 2024, 13:12 EST
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The Toronto Blue Jays could have another player win an award.
On Monday morning, superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was nominated for the American League Silver Slugger Award at first base. He’s up against Cleveland Guardians’ Josh Naylor and Minnesota Twins’ Carlos Santana.
Guerrero Jr. had a similar season to his 2021 campaign where he finished second in American League MVP voting. In 2024, the 25-year-old slashed .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs in 697 plate appearances, along with a 10.3 BB% and a 13.8 K%. Overall, he finished the season with a 165 wRC+ and a 5.5 fWAR, slightly below his 166 wRC+ and a 6.3 fWAR in 2021.
Naylor, who is also Canadian, didn’t have nearly as good of a season. In 633 plate appearances, the 27-year-old slashed .243/.320/.456 with 31 home runs, along with a 9.2 BB% and a 16.6 K% for a 118 wRC+ and a 2.3 fWAR.
Santana wasn’t any better, as the 38-year-old first baseman slashed .238/.328/.420 with 23 home runs in 594 plate appearances, along with a 10.9 BB% and a 16.7 K%. Overall, he finished the season with a 114 wRC+ and a 3 fWAR.
It’s pretty clear that the award is Guerrero Jr.’s to win. The 25-year-old is entering his final season of team control and will become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season. As always, the Blue Jays should sign him immediately.

Dasan Brown won the minor league Gold Glove for outfielders

Another Gold Glove was won by an outfielder in the organization, as Dasan Brown won the minor league Gold Glove for outfielders on Monday.
Sadly there are no defensive stats like Outs Above Average or Defensive Runs Saved for the minor leagues, but Brown is a terrific defensive outfielder. The Canadian played 554.1 innings in centre field for the Vancouver Canadians, picking up six assists while committing no errors. In total, he made just one error all season, coming in left field once he reached Double-A.
Speed is the name of the game for Brown, as he is not just the fastest player in the Jays’ organization, but one of the fastest players in all of baseball. Brown uses that speed on the base paths, but also in the outfield to track down tough balls to catch.
He’s almost guaranteed to be a big leaguer because of it. How far he goes, on the other hand, depends on how well his bat does. It seems like Brown is better in years that end with an even number, as he slashed .257/.363/.411 with a career-high eight home runs in 329 plate appearances for a 121 wRC+ in Vancouver. 
His brief tenure in Double-A wasn’t as good though, as his walk rate dropped from 11.9% to 5%, his K% increased from 24% to 28.6%, and he didn’t hit a home run in 119 plate appearances, giving him a 72 wRC+.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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