Ben Rice’s Silver Slugger nod reminds most epic award in Yankees history
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Follow UsNEW YORK — The New York Yankees are no strangers to surprise when it comes to Silver Slugger winners. Ben Rice’s 2025 nomination added a new chapter to that history, though his breakout season still falls short of the most shocking win in pinstripes.
Rice earned recognition Thursday as one of three finalists in the American League utility category. The 26-year-old Yankee will compete against Maikel Garcia of the Kansas City Royals and Zach McKinstry of the Detroit Tigers. The results will be revealed on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. ET, exclusively on FanSided and The Baseball Insiders.
The Silver Slugger, awarded annually by Louisville Slugger, recognizes the top offensive performer at every position in both leagues. Managers and three coaches from each team vote, weighing raw numbers along with overall offensive impact.
Mike Stanley set the bar for surprise winners
For Yankees fans, the 1993 season remains the standard for unlikely Silver Slugger winners. That year, catcher Mike Stanley stunned the league when he earned the award. At age 30, Stanley had never recorded 300 plate appearances in a single season before signing with New York as a free agent. Expectations were modest, if not nonexistent.
Instead, Stanley exploded offensively. He hit 26 home runs, a sharp rise after never producing more than eight in previous years. His .305 batting average and .923 OPS stood nearly 50 percent above league average. The breakout earned him a 13th-place finish in MVP voting and 4.8 bWAR.
The decision, however, sparked debate. Baltimore’s Chris Hoiles posted a 6.8 bWAR, slashed .310 with 29 homers, and carried a 1.001 OPS. He placed higher than Stanley in MVP voting but did not receive the Silver Slugger. Adding to the oddity, neither catcher made the All-Star roster that summer. Ivan Rodriguez and Terry Steinbach represented AL backstops despite weaker offensive years.
Rice’s rise echoes Stanley’s
Ben Rice entered 2025 as a spring training question mark. By season’s end, he was a fixture in the Yankees’ lineup. The young utility man hit 26 homers, added 28 doubles, and posted a .255/.337/.499 slash line in 530 plate appearances. His production translated into a 133 wRC+ and 3.0 fWAR.
Rice’s utility classification came from his versatility. He played 29 games at catcher, 46 at first base, and 48 as a designated hitter. To qualify for the award, players must log at least 100 games and appear at two or more positions in at least 20 games each.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed last week that Rice will serve as the Yankees’ starting first baseman in 2026. That announcement provides clarity after a season of positional shifts.
Yankees dominated offensive categories
The Yankees once again posted elite offensive numbers in 2025. They led Major League Baseball with a 119 wRC+, finishing six points above the Los Angeles Dodgers. This production came despite the departure of Juan Soto, showing how deep the Yankees’ lineup remained.
Rice joined Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Cody Bellinger as Yankees finalists for Silver Slugger honors. Judge and Bellinger were nominated among outfielders. Chisholm, who delivered a 30-homer, 30-steal season, was selected at second base.
The Yankees’ regular-season firepower was unmatched. Over 162 games, they fielded baseball’s most productive offense. Yet once the postseason began, that dominance disappeared. Toronto eliminated New York in the Division Series in just four games, leaving the Yankees with more questions than answers.
Statistical evidence and what lies ahead
Rice’s advanced metrics point to even greater upside. His .419 expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) ranked sixth across MLB. His exit velocity ranked in the 98th percentile, underlining his ability to drive the ball with authority. A 131 OPS+ highlighted his consistent offensive value from both sides of the plate.
At the beginning of the year, Rice shared playing time with veteran Paul Goldschmidt. By midsummer, Rice had taken over. Goldschmidt is now headed to free agency, leaving Rice a clear path to everyday duties.
The Yankees’ front office must still decide how Rice fits into long-term roster plans. He could stay at first base or shift back to catching if Austin Wells is moved in a trade. His versatility made him valuable throughout 2025 but left his role unsettled until Boone’s recent statement.
Don Baylor’s controversial case
Rice’s nomination also brings back memories of other debated Yankees Silver Slugger winners. Designated hitter Don Baylor earned the honor in 1983 after posting 21 homers and a 138 OPS+. Many argued Chicago’s Greg Luzinski deserved it after blasting 32 home runs and winning the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award that year.
Baylor later captured Silver Slugger honors again in 1985 and 1986, the latter coming after he left New York for Boston. Those wins highlighted the subjective nature of voting and the differences in evaluation between statistics and perception.
Rice a key part of Yankees’ future
Rice’s recognition caps a season that saw him transform from a depth piece to a critical part of the Yankees’ lineup. His power, plate discipline, and versatility turned him into a legitimate building block for the team’s future.
Whether or not he wins the Silver Slugger, his nomination represents a major step in his career and in the Yankees’ organizational development. The honor arrives at a pivotal moment for New York. Following another October disappointment, the front office must evaluate how best to maximize Rice’s talent as they attempt to construct a roster capable of ending a long championship drought.
For the Yankees, Rice’s emergence adds optimism even as frustration lingers from playoff failure. His breakout mirrors surprising moments in team history, like Stanley in 1993 and Baylor in the 1980s. This time, the Yankees hope the surprise evolves into sustained production and future postseason success.
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