Twins' Garver, Cruz win Silver Slugger awards
Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz, right, enjoys a laugh as catcher Mitch Garver answers a question from the media Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in Minneapolis as the Twins prepare for the American League Division Series baseball playoffs. The Twins and Yankees play Game 1 of a best-of-five series on Friday in New York. Jim Mone / Associated PressMINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver and designated hitter Nelson Cruz were announced as winners of American League Silver Slugger awards on Thursday, Nov. 7.
The 28-year-old Garver enjoyed a breakout year in which he established a club record for home runs by a catcher (30) while only playing in 93 games. He finished the season with .273 batting average, 31 home runs and 67 runs batted in.
Cruz, 39, was signed as a free agent in the offseason to anchor a young Twins lineup and responded by having his fourth season reaching 40-plus home runs and 100-plus RBI. His 2019 season included an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.031 to go with 41 home runs and 108 RBI. Minnesota recently exercised its $12 million option for Cruz to return in 2020.
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