Willson Contreras is owning Boston this year, but that path to his first Silver Slugger? It’s blocked by a division rival with a scary power surge. The Red Sox first baseman has been a perfect fit for the city, bringing energy and leadership that fans love to see. Yet, the award race comes down to one hard number where a New York Yankees rookie is leaving everyone else in the dust.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Contreras is hitting .281 with a .390 on-base percentage and has smashed 26 home runs this season. He has also added 21 doubles and two triples to his stat sheet. According to reports, the veteran changed his approach in 2025 to pull the ball more often, a move that paid huge dividends at Fenway Park. He now pulls the ball 26.3 percent of the time, and nearly all his home runs have cleared the fence over left field. That swing tweak turned him into a consistent threat who can drive in runs with the best hitters in the league.
But Ben Rice is making life difficult for the Red Sox fan base. The Yankees first baseman is slashing .251/.350/.529 and has crushed 35 home runs in just 127 games. Rice has played 55 games at first base and 69 as the designated hitter this year. Since Yordan Alvarez is the clear winner at the DH spot, voters might choose to cast their ballots for Rice as a first baseman to give him the award. That split could be the difference maker in a tight race.
Why Home Runs Matter Most
I believe Contreras deserves the hardware for his all-around game, but the voters often care more about the big bomb than the steady average. Rice is hitting 35 homers, which is nine more than Contreras, and that gap is hard to ignore. Even Pete Alonso, another division rival, has 32 home runs this season. While Contreras beats Alonso in average and on-base percentage, the power numbers are what usually drive these awards. Because home runs make the biggest difference in games, voters will probably prioritize them, according to the source.
The Red Sox have a strong case for their player, but the math is against them right now. Rice is putting up Aaron Judge-like numbers in his absence, and that kind of raw power catches the eye of award voters. If Contreras loses, it will sting because it means one of two division rivals took the prize from a beloved Boston leader. The energy he brings to the team is unmatched, but a silver bat might go to the guy who hits the ball the hardest and farthest.
The Season Ends Soon
The race will come to a head as the regular season winds down and the awards are announced. FanSided is partnering with Louisville Slugger to reveal the winners, following their work from the past two years. At age 34, Contreras has posted arguably the finest offensive season of his career, yet he confronts a difficult challenge compared to Rice’s 35 homers. The final decision rests on whether voters value the complete player or just the home run total. The numbers are in, and the battle for the Silver Slugger is far from over.
