Multiple MLB Stars Snubbed From 2025 Silver Slugger Finalists Amid Controversy

The 2025 Silver Slugger awards saw several surprising snubs in both the American and National Leagues, sparking debate over deserving players left off the finalist lists. Alejandro Kirk of the Blue Jays, despite posting top offensive numbers among AL catchers with a .282 average and 15 home runs, was excluded in favor of others like Shea Langeliers and Salvador Perez, likely due to the heavy catching workload affecting his overall value. Similarly, Detroit Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson was overlooked at first base despite comparable stats to finalist Vinnie Pasquantino, with some arguing his postseason team context and clutch performance warranted inclusion. In the National League, Chicago Cubs’ Michael Busch and San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. were notable omissions; Busch outperformed finalist Matt Olson in several offensive categories, while Tatis Jr. had a higher wRC+ and more home runs than several finalists but was excluded amid stiff competition in the crowded outfield category. Adding to the NL snubs, rookie Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves was seen as the standout catcher despite not winning the NL Rookie of the Year, which instead went to pitcher Cade Horton of the Cubs, highlighting the complexity of award selections based on different performance metrics and sample sizes. These snubs highlight the challenges in award voting where heavy workloads, team success, and positional depth influence which players ultimately earn recognition.