A.J. Pierzynski wins first career Silver Slugger Award

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski of the Chicago White Sox has won his first career American League Silver Slugger Award. 

Pierzynski, 35, joins Carlton Fisk (1981, 1985 and 1988) as the only catchers in White Sox history to win the award, which is presented by Louisville Slugger to honor the best offensive performers at every position in each league as voted on by managers and coaches.

Pierzynski hit .278 (133-479) with a career-high 27 home runs and 77 RBI in 135 games in 2012, his eighth season with the White Sox.  His 27 home runs were the second-highest total in White Sox history by a catcher, trailing only Fisk’s 37 in 1985.  Pierzynski also set career bests in runs scored (68), slugging percentage (.501) and OPS (.827) and matched his season high in RBI (also 2004).

Among AL players with a minimum of 100 games caught in 2012, Pierzynski ranked first in average, runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, OPS and total bases.  He homered in a career-best five consecutive games from July 30-August 5, matching the franchise record (seventh time).

Pierzynski, who caught Philip Humber’s perfect game on April 21 at Seattle, eclipsed 1,000.0 IC for the 11th consecutive season, extending the longest active streak in baseball, and caught 100-plus games for the 12th straight season, tied for the fourth-longest streak in major-league history.