Three Royals reach 2026 Silver Slugger finalist list

The Kansas City Royals have three finalists for the 2026 Silver Slugger Awards: shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., rookie catcher Carter Jensen and outfielder Jac Caglianone. Louisville Slugger announced the finalists on Thursday, November 5; winners are scheduled to be announced November 17. The award recognizes the top offensive player at each position in each league, with voting by Major League Baseball managers and coaches, who cannot vote for players on their own teams, MLB.com reported.

Witt seeks a third straight award

Witt hit .281 with 18 home runs, 33 doubles and 45 stolen bases in 143 games. He led American League shortstops in hits, doubles, batting average, on-base percentage and stolen bases, Hutch Post reported. After winning the award in 2024 and 2025, he is seeking a third consecutive Silver Slugger. A win would make him the first Royals player to take the award in three straight seasons, according to Hutch Post.

Jensen set rookie records in his first season

A Silver Slugger would make Jensen the second Royals catcher to win the award, after Salvador Perez, who has won five. Hutch Post also reported that he would become the fifth rookie catcher in major-league history to receive it.

Caglianone’s league rankings and late-season run

Caglianone hit .289 with 23 home runs, 75 RBIs and 32 doubles. His batting average ranked fourth in the American League, his slugging percentage sixth and his OPS ninth, Hutch Post and SB Nation reported. From June 1 onward, he batted .317 with a .914 OPS over 89 games and was named American League Player of the Month for August, Hutch Post reported.

If Caglianone wins, he would be the second Royals outfielder to receive the Silver Slugger, after Willie Wilson, who won in 1980 and 1982, Hutch Post reported.

Kansas City is one of five teams with at least three finalists, alongside the White Sox, Tigers, Brewers and Cubs, according to SB Nation and Hutch Post. The winners will be announced November 17.