Stanton wins first Silver Slugger Award
Marlins right fielder led the National League in homers, slugging percentage in 2014
MIAMI -- When it comes to pure power, Giancarlo Stanton finds himself in a league of his own.
After pacing the National League in home runs and slugging percentage, it was no surprise that Stanton won his first Silver Slugger Award. The announcement came on Thursday night, and the Miami right fielder joined Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen and Atlanta's Justin Upton as the NL outfielders to receive the honor.
Stanton is the first Marlins player to bring home a Silver Slugger Award since Hanley Ramirez in 2009, and he is the fifth Marlins player to be recognized as a Silver Slugger. Stanton joins Ramirez (2008-09), Miguel Cabrera (2005-06), Mike Lowell (2003) and Gary Sheffield (1996).
For Stanton, the hardware keeps piling up. Since the season ended, he's been named the NL's Hank Aaron Award winner, and he received the Players Choice Award as the NL's Outstanding Player.
Video: Stanton on winning 2014 NL Outstanding Player award
Stanton also is one of three finalists for the NL Most Valuable Player Award, which will be announced on Nov. 13.
A two-time All-Star, Stanton belted 37 home runs and had a slugging percentage of .555 in 2014.
Video: Must C Crushed: Stanton hits monster home run
During the season, Stanton also matched Dan Uggla for the Marlins' all-time home run mark with 154. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound force was primed to break the team record and threaten to reach 40 home runs, but his season was abruptly cut short after he was struck in the face by a pitch at Milwaukee on Sept. 11.
Despite missing the final 17 games, Stanton still finished first in the NL in home runs and slugging percentage. He ended up second in RBIs with 105.
Video: Stanton discusses his road to recovery after injury
"He's an MVP candidate," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "We have a different team when he's not in the lineup."
The Marlins are looking to lock up Stanton to a multiyear contract, hoping to build around him for the future.
"I think you saw, from a production standpoint, he's a big part of our offense," Hill said. "That's why we're trying to keep him long term and keep him in the middle of that order, and surround him with pieces that give us an opportunity to win on a daily basis."