October 5th, 2015 at 12:48 pm 
by Ron Cervenka Major League Baseball and MLB Advanced Media has named Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez as the team’s finalist for the 2015 Hank Aaron Award. Fans can vote for the winner exclusively online at MLB.com or through any of the 30 club respective websites.
For the sixth straight year, a special panel of Hall of Fame players – led Hank Aaron – will join fans in voting for the award, which is officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball and has recognized the most outstanding offensive performer in each League since it was established in 1999.
This marks the second consecutive season that Gonzalez was selected as Los Angeles’ Hank Aaron Award finalist. The National League All-Star batted .275 in 156 games, while leading the Dodgers and ranking among the NL leaders in doubles (33, T-13th), home runs (28, T-8th) and RBI (90, 10th).
In his three-plus seasons with the Dodgers, Gonzalez has been nominated twice for MLB’s top offense award. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Combined, the nominees have been named All-Stars 90 times, including 16 2015 All-Stars. The group also features 20 players under the age of 30, with five (Arenado, Correa, Harper, Herrera and Trout) under the age of 25.
The finalists for the 2015 Hank Aaron Award are:
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American League |
National League |
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Baltimore Orioles |
Chris Davis |
Arizona Diamondbacks |
Paul Goldschmidt |
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Boston Red Sox |
David Ortiz |
Atlanta Braves |
Freddie Freeman |
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Chicago White Sox |
Jose Abreu |
Chicago Cubs |
Anthony Rizzo |
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Cleveland Indians |
Michael Brantley |
Cincinnati Reds |
Joey Votto |
|
Detroit Tigers |
Miguel Cabrera |
Colorado Rockies |
Nolan Arenado |
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Houston Astros |
Carlos Correa |
Los Angeles Dodgers |
Adrian Gonzalez |
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Kansas City Royals |
Lorenzo Cain |
Miami Marlins |
Dee Gordon |
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LA Angels of Anaheim |
Mike Trout |
Milwaukee Brewers |
Ryan Braun |
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Minnesota Twins |
Brian Dozier |
New York Mets |
Curtis Granderson |
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New York Yankees |
Brian McCann |
Philadelphia Phillies |
Odubel Herrera |
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Oakland Athletics |
Josh Reddick |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
Andrew McCutchen |
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Seattle Mariners |
Nelson Cruz |
St. Louis Cardinals |
Matt Carpenter |
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Tampa Bay Rays |
Logan Forsythe |
San Diego Padres |
Matt Kemp |
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Texas Rangers |
Prince Fielder |
San Francisco Giants |
Buster Posey |
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Toronto Blue Jays |
Josh Donaldson |
Washington Nationals |
Bryce Harper |
The Hall of Fame panel led by Aaron includes some of the greatest offensive players of all-time –Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Eddie Murray, Frank Thomas, Robin Yount as well as 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Craig Biggio. These Hall of Famers – who combined for 16,697 hits, 8,712 RBI and 2,166 home runs – have all been personally selected by Aaron to lend their expertise to select the best offensive performer in each League.
Continuing through October 11, fans will have the opportunity to select one American League and one National League winner from a list comprising of one finalist per Club. The winners of the 2015 Hank Aaron Award will be announced during the 2015 World Series.
“The nominees for the 2015 Hank Aaron Awards provide great insight into the considerable young talent in our game today,” Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said. “Hank Aaron was a tremendous all-around offensive performer, and I believe that the diverse skills and competitive spirits demonstrated by these 30 players throughout the 2015 season have honored the Hall of Famer’s enduring legacy.”
“It is truly a joy and an honor that the award recognizing the top offensive performers in the game has my name on it,” said Hank Aaron. “I am grateful to have some of my fellow Hall of Famers and the fans to assist in selecting the winners from this talented group of nominees.”
Past winners of the Hank Aaron Award include: Giancarlo Stanton and Mike Trout (2014); Miguel Cabrera and Paul Goldschmidt (2013); Cabrera and Buster Posey (2012); Jose Bautista and Matt Kemp (2011); Bautista and Joey Votto (2010); Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols (2009); Aramis Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis (2008); Alex Rodriguez and Prince Fielder (2007); Jeter and Ryan Howard (2006); David Ortiz and Andruw Jones (2005); Manny Ramirez and Barry Bonds (2004); Rodriguez and Pujols (2003); Rodriguez and Bonds (2001-02); Carlos Delgado and Todd Helton (2000) and Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa (1999).
The Hank Aaron Award was introduced in 1999 to honor the 25th Anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, and, at that time, was the first major award introduced by Major League Baseball in more than 25 years.
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