Phillies stars J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber win Silver Slugger Award

Phillies stars J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber win the NL Silver Slugger Award.

While Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson is not in the running for National League Manager of the Year honors, two of the team’s star sluggers have been awarded prestigious recognition for their contributions at the plate this season.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto and left fielder Kyle Schwarber have been named winners of the Silver Slugger Award at their respective positions. It is Realmuto’s third-career honor, while the first for Schwarber — who led the National League in home runs in just his first season in red pinstripes.

Schwarber also ranked first among NL outfielders in RBI and third in runs scored. Realmuto, meanwhile, finished with a career-high in wins above replacement (WAR) — while leading all Major League catchers in games, hits, runs, and stolen bases. The “Best Catcher in Baseball” won his second-career Gold Glove Award earlier this offseason.

Before Realmuto (2019) and Bryce Harper (2021) previously won the Silver Slugger, the franchise’s previous award winner in the category was Chase Utley in 2009. The last time the Phillies had two Silver Slugger winners in the same season was Jimmy Rollins and Utley two years prior in 2007.

Joining Realmuto and Schwarber as 2022 NL Silver Sluggers are first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, second baseman Jeff McNeil, shortstop, Trea Turner, third baseman Nolan Arenado, center fielder Mookie Betts, right fielder Juan Soto, designated hitter Josh Bell, and utility player Brandon Drury.

Of note: Turner, Schwarber, Soto and Bell each played for the Phillies’ National League East rival Washington Nationals at the start of the 2021 season, notes MASN’s Mark Zuckerman. Soto and Bell were dealt to the San Diego Padres midway last season — ahead of their future NLCS matchup against the Phillies.

Thomson’s squad has been long linked as Turner’s next possible destination, as he enters free agency this offseason.