Tigers’ Riley Greene and Zach McKinstry Claim Silver Slugger Awards

The 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season has concluded, and the Detroit Tigers are celebrating the achievements of two of their standout players, Riley Greene and Zach McKinstry, who have both been awarded the prestigious Silver Slugger Award. This recognition highlights their exceptional performances during a season where the Tigers finished among the top ten teams in home runs, despite not being predominantly recognized as a power-hitting team.

Both Greene and McKinstry delivered their best seasons in a Tigers uniform, resulting in their first Silver Slugger Awards. While the competition was fierce, particularly in the outfield category, their impressive statistics made a compelling case for their recognition.

Greene’s Standout Season

In the outfield category, Greene faced strong contenders including Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, Julio Rodríguez of the Seattle Mariners, and George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays. Judge was widely expected to secure a Silver Slugger Award, but the other two winners remained uncertain. Greene’s performance set him apart, as reflected in his outstanding statistics:

– Total Hits: 187 (3rd in the league)
– Doubles: 45 (1st in the league)
– Home Runs: 29 (2nd, trailing only Judge)
– Runs Batted In (RBI): 86 (2nd, trailing only Judge)
– Batting Average: .296 (6th)
– Slugging Percentage: .556 (4th)
– On-base Plus Slugging (OPS): .911 (5th)

Greene’s achievements earned him the Silver Slugger Award, although his high strikeout rate raises concerns for the Tigers moving forward. Nevertheless, the organization is optimistic about addressing this aspect of his game as they aim to maximize his potential.

McKinstry’s Breakthrough Performance

In his third full season with the Tigers, McKinstry also marked his best performance to date. Competing against Maikel Garcia of the Kansas City Royals and Ben Rice of the Yankees, he secured his first Silver Slugger Award with the following impressive statistics:

– Total Hits: 117
– Runs: 68
– Doubles: 23
– Triples: 11
– Home Runs: 12
– RBI: 49
– Wins Above Replacement (WAR): 2.8
– Batting Average: .259
– On-base Percentage: .333
– Slugging Percentage: .438

The Tigers’ management and fans are enthusiastic about the upcoming 2026 season, with Greene and McKinstry poised to continue their upward trajectory. Their performances are seen as pivotal in the team’s efforts to return to the playoffs, building on the momentum gained from their individual successes.

As the Tigers look ahead, the contributions of Greene and McKinstry will be instrumental in shaping the team’s future. The Silver Slugger Awards not only recognize their achievements but also highlight the potential for a promising season ahead.