White Sox’ Jose Abreu wins AL Outstanding Player Award

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu added another postseason award to his collection Thursday, claiming the Players Choice American League Outstanding Player honor.

Last week, Abreu was named Sporting News Player of the Year for both leagues and also was tabbed as one of seven finalists for the Hank Aaron Award, given to the outstanding offensive player in each league.

he Most Valuable Player award, for which Abreu is a contender along with Jose Ramirez, DJ LeMahieu, Mike Trout and Shane Bieber, will be announced by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Nov. 12.

He is looking to join Frank Thomas (1993, ’94), Dick Allen (1972) and Nellie Fox (1959) as the only Sox to win the MVP award.

Abreu led the AL in RBI for the second straight year after driving in 123 runs in 2019, the first player to lead the AL in RBI in back-to-back seasons since David Ortiz of the Red Sox in 2005 and 2006. He played in all 60 games in the abbreviated 2020 season and was second in home runs (19), third in runs scored (43), fourth in average (.317) and 10th in on-base percentage (.370).

“It is always special to be recognized by my fellow players across the league,” Abreu said in a statement. “I want to thank everyone who voted for me and appreciates my respect for the game. But my ultimate goal remains to help win a championship for the Chicago White Sox. That would be my greatest accomplishment and one that would make my family the proudest.”

Joining Abreu among AL Players Choice winners were Bieber as Outstanding Pitcher, Kyle Lewis as Outstanding Rookie and Carlos Carrasco as Comeback Player.

Abreu joins Thomas (1993, ’94) and Jermaine Dye (2006) as the only Sox to win the Players Choice award.

Sox get five Gold Glove nominees

The Sox have five nominees — including two catchers — for the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, given to the top defensive player at each position in each league.

Catchers Yasmani Grandal and James McCann, third baseman Yoan Moncada, center fielder Luis Robert and second baseman Danny Mendick were named finalists.