Dodgers' latest NL Silver Slugger snub is stunning and borderline disrespectful

Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy were the Dodgers' Silver Slugger nominees at DH, catcher, first base, and third base, but competition was pretty fierce all around.

Ohtani was up against Kyle Schwarber, who already beat him out for the MLBPA's NL Outstanding Player Award, Freeman was up against Pete Alonso, and Muncy was up against (though we hate to give him credit for anything) Manny Machado. Smith, pitted against the Brewers' William Contreras and Rockies' Hunter Goodman, seemed most likely of any of LA's nominees to bring home what would be his first career Silver Slugger.

However, winners were announced on Thursday, and only one Dodger walked away with a trophy (though LA did capture the Team of the Year award). Ohtani edged out Schwarber, but Smith lost to...Hunter Goodman? Seriously?

Freeman and Muncy did lose out to Alonso and Machado respectively, which was far less surprising and arguably even justified, but Smith — who was just a few points away from putting up a .300/.400/.500 season — losing to a guy with dramatically inflated stats based on his home ballpark (thanks a lot, Coors Field)? You could definitely call that disrespectful.

Dodgers' Will Smith loses 2025 Silver Slugger Award for NL catcher to Rockies' Hunter Goodman

To be fair, Goodman was by far the best thing about a hilariously bad Rockies team. He led all of three qualified players in home runs, RBI, average, OBP, and slugging — and it wasn't really even close. He also appeared in far more games for Colorado than Smith did for LA (144 for Goodman, 110 for Smith), with 39 games as the Rockies' DH.

Goodman managed some respectable enough splits on the road, but Coors inflated his average by almost 60 points and his OBP by almost 70. Even if we don't drag Coors into the argument, Smith had a better average and OPS altogether. He was one of the Dodgers' clutchest hitters this season, with a .347 average, .953 OPS, and 171 OPS+ with two outs and runners in scoring position. Goodman hit .273/.737 with a 109 OPS+ in the same situations.

Maybe some pity went into the voting body's decision-making? Why not throw a single award to someone on baseball's worst team?

We're not trying to say that Goodman didn't have a good season, because he did, and he should be acknowledged for it, but he was out-performed by Smith in every possible way, and Smith deserved the recognition for it. 152 OPS+, adjusted based on myriad factors, vs. a 120 mark for Goodman. Need we say more?