Cody Bellinger wins utility Silver Slugger award after resurgent season with Cubs

Cody Bellinger wins utility Silver Slugger award after resurgent season with Cubs originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Cody Bellinger, who already won the NL Comeback Player of the Year award, solidified his reemergence as one of the game’s top hitters in 2023, crucial to the Cubs’ greatly improved offense.

Bellinger was honored for his outstanding season by receiving the Utility Silver Slugger award, a new addition in 2022 that recognizes players who spent significant time at more than one position throughout the season.

He was a key contributor for the Cubs at both center field and first base, showcasing a return to his previous MVP form at the age of 28.

In 130 games, Bellinger’s impressive stats included 26 home runs, 29 doubles, 20 stolen bases, and a team-leading 97 RBI, while slashing an outstanding .307/.356/.525 with an .881 OPS and 133 OPS+ – the best marks of his career since his 2019 MVP season.

Bellinger’s resurgence is particularly noteworthy considering the challenges he faced in previous seasons, battling through injuries and hitting career lows in 2021.

His precise contact hitting led to a career-high batting average, placing him sixth in MLB in the category and marking a significant turnaround from his 2021 slugging percentage.

With a Rookie of the Year, MVP, Gold Glove, and World Series ring already under his belt, Bellinger adds a second career Silver Slugger award to his accolades, following his first win in 2019 as an outfielder.

He was also named as an outfielder finalist for his 2023 performance, while teammates Seiya Suzuki and Dansby Swanson were finalists for outfield and shortstop, respectively.

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