CLEVELAND, Ohio — Francisco Lindor did not get the gold earlier this week, but on Thursday he brought home some silver for the second straight year.
The Cleveland Indians infielder earned Louisville Silver Slugger Awards in the American League for 2018 based on his offensive productivity. Lindor was also finalist at his defensive positions for Rawlings Gold Glove Awards that were announced Sunday.
The Indians were among four teams with multiple Silver Slugger Award winners, including Boston, Houston, Colorado and Arizona. Yan Gomes was a finalist among AL catchers with the award going to Kansas City’s Salvador Perez.
Lindor, a three-time All-Star at shortstop, saw his increased power numbers from 2017 carry over to this season. The 24-year-old upped his career-high home run total by five (38). He collected a career-best 183 hits, including 42 doubles and two triples. He became the first shortstop in MLB history and first Indian with at least 35 home runs, 40 doubles and 20 stolen bases in a single season
Among all-time MLB switch-hitting shortstops, Lindor's 38 home runs ranks first, ahead of Jimmy Rollins (2007) and Jose Valentin (2004), who each hit 30. Lindor led the AL with 129 runs scored.
Lindor finished the season ranked tied for fourth in the AL in hits, tied for sixth in home runs, tied for first in runs scored, eighth overall in stolen bases and second overall in total bases. He connected on a franchise-best and MLB-high nine leadoff home runs.
