Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder win Silver Slugger Awards

MLB has announced their Sliver Slugger Awards, which are given to the top offensive player at each position in both leagues.

In a development which surprised no one, Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera was awarded the Silver Slugger for American League 3rd basemen, thanks to his league leading .330 average, 44 home runs and 139 RBI. Cabrera also led the AL in slugging (.606), OPS (.999) and total bases (377).

This is the third Silver Slugger Award for Cabrera, his second as both a member Detroit Tigers and as a 3rd baseman. He won the award in 2006 with the Miami Marlins at 3rd and in 2010 as the Tigers' 1st baseman.

Also getting a nice shiny silver bat is Prince Fielder, the AL winner at 1st base. Fielder posted a career high .313 average, along with 30 home runs and 108 RBI. Fielder led AL 1st baseman in average, OBP (.412), slugging (.528) and of course, OPS (.940).

Fielder carried home the Silver Slugger hardware for the third time as well, winning previously in 2007 and 2011 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Prince's father, former Tiger Cecil Fielder, was the AL winner at 1st base in 1990-91.

The voting is in the same format as the much derided Gold Gloves:

Winners of the award were determined by voting conducted among Major League managers and coaches, who were asked to name the players at each position in each league who put up the best seasons at the plate. Voters were not allowed to pick players from their own clubs.

2012 Silver Slugger Award winners:

American League
Catcher: A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox
First base: Prince Fielder, Tigers
Second base: Robinson Cano, Yankees
Third base: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
Shortstop: Derek Jeter, Yankees
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels
Outfield: Josh Willingham, Twins
Outfield: Josh Hamilton, Rangers
DH: Billy Butler, Royals

National League
Catcher: Buster Posey, Giants
First base: Adam LaRoche, Nationals
Second base: Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks
Third base: Chase Headley, Padres
Shortstop: Ian Desmond, Nationals
Outfield: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
Outfield: Jay Bruce, Reds
Outfield: Ryan Braun, Brewers
Pitcher: Stephen Strassburg, Nationals