Two members of the pennant winning 2026 Rays are finalists for the Silver Slugger, one no surprise and one quite a big one!
Junior Caminero
One of two finalists at third base for the American League, this should be an easy win for the MVP Finalist after his second consecutive 40+ HR season at just age-22. He had 100 runs scored, 101 RBI, a 148 wRC+, and was the 2026 leader in bat speed (79.4 MPH). The other candidate, Miguel Vargas of the White Sox, had 33 homers and a 134 wRC+ which is respectable and worthy of recognition, but Caminero should take this honor handily.
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Chandler Simpson
Making a bid to be just the third silver slugger in history with zero homeruns (Ozzie Smith – '87, Pete Rose – '81), the speedy Simpson is on a short list of some incredible hitters, some of them former Rays players:
Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox
Randy Arozarena, Mariners
Cody Bellinger, Yankees
Jac Caglianone, Royals
Chase DeLauter, Guardians
Riley Greene, Tigers
Tristan Peters, White Sox
Chandler Simpson, Rays
Mike Trout, Angels
According to the announcement, Abreu, Arozarena, Caglianone, DeLauter, Peters and Simpson would all be first-time winners, while Trout is bidding to be the third ever ten-time SS winner (Bonds – 12, Piazza – 10).
By wRC+ the league leaders among qualified hitters are Arozarena (151 wRC+), Greene (136), the not nominated
Dom Canzone (134), DeLauter (131), and Caglianone (129).
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Using the same perspective Trout is sixth (129) and Simpson is 20th (93), emphasizing the hilarity of the nomination, but Simpson is notably the league leader in AVG (.306) with Caglianone second (.289).
Simpson is also the league leader in stolen bases among outfielders (46) with the second highest being Arozarena (26).
