Jose Abreu wins Silver Slugger Award in rookie season

Jose Abreu showed he belonged in the major leagues, and in a big way. The White Sox rookie All-Star was rewarded Thursday for his offensive production in his first season with the Silver Slugger Award, given to the top offensive first baseman in the American League.

Abreu, 27, lead the major leagues with a .581 slugging percentage and batted .317 with 35 doubles, 36 home runs, 107 RBI and a .383 on-base percentage in 145 games.

Abreu and Dick Allen (1974) are the only Sox to lead the majors in slugging percentage, and he ranked among AL leaders in OPS (2nd, .964), total bases (2nd, 323), homers (T3rd), RBI (4th), extra-base hits (4th, 73), average (5th), OBP (5th) and doubles (T10th).

Abreu is the first Silver Slugger winner from the White Sox since shortstop Alexei Ramirez in 2010. Ramirez is a candidate for this year’s award.