In what could reasonably be described as a formality, Bryce Harper was named a 2021 Silver Slugger Award winner Thursday.
Harper’s MLB-leading .615 slugging percentage, 1.044 OPS, 170 wRC+ and .431 wOBA have him poised as a frontrunner in the NL MVP conversation, so the Silver Slugger was essentially a foregone conclusion. His receiving the NL’s Hank Aaron Award, given to the top offensive performer in each league, served as all the more evidence that he would at least earn the distinction as one of the senior circuit’s three best offensive outfielders in 2021.