The 2013 MLB season was a good one for Baseball Factory alumni!  Our former players represented all 30 MLB teams; 30 players made their MLB debut; 11 earned a spot in the All-Star Game;  four earned Silver Slugger Awards and two won Gold Gloves.

At the conclusion of each season Rawlings hands out Gold Glove Awards for superior fielding performance. Factory alumnus Eric Hosmer earned his first Gold Glove this past season.  The first baseman for the Royals, Eric has played in Kansas City since his Major League debut in May 2011. 

Much like its defensive counterpart, the Silver Slugger Award is presented to the best offensive player at each position in both the American and National Leagues.  This year four Factory alumni were honored with the award.  The Reds Jay Bruce earned his second Sliver Slugger, having also won in 2012. Bruce finished the year with 30 homeruns and 109 RBIs. In addition, the former Factory standout was awarded the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for his work in right field.   Bruce was joined by fellow Factory alumnus Michael Cuddyer, who earned his first career Silver Slugger nod. Cuddyer hit .331 this year, including 20 home runs and 84 RBIs for the Rockies.  Dodgers’ pitcher Zack Greinke also won the first Silver Slugger of his career after batting .328 with four RBIs on the year.

Since his debut in 2005, JJ Hardy has played shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins and most recently the Baltimore Orioles.  This year for Baltimore, Hardy was selected to his second All-Star game, earned his second Gold Glove, and was also awarded his first Silver Slugger.  His final line was 25 homeruns, 76 RBIs and a batting average of .263, rounding out Factory alumni to earn awards this season.

Baseball Factory would like to congratulate our MLB alumni on an amazing 2013 season!  Looking forward to Spring Training!