![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.denvergazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26094185185944-1024x685.jpg\")
Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman (15) in the first inning of a baseball game Friday in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\nHunter Goodman will hang on to this trophy.<\/p>\n
The Rockies\u2019 catcher accepted his Silver Slugger award Friday moments before the first pitch of Opening Day at Coors Field. Goodman walked out of the dugout after a tribute video with a roar from the sold-out home crowd. He shook hands with manager Warren Schaeffer before accepting the large award \u2014 a sterling-plated silver bat measuring 3 feet tall \u2014 with an idea of where it goes next.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis one will stay with me,\u201d Goodman told The Denver Gazette. \u201cMaybe in an office or something like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Silver Slugger is given annually to the top offensive performer in each position across both leagues. Finalists and winners are determined by a vote from MLB coaches and managers. Goodman is the only catcher in franchise history to win it and the first player since shortstop Trevor Story in 2019.<\/p>\n
Goodman exploded with 31 home runs \u2014 also the most by a Rockies catcher \u2014 in his third big league season. He also slashed .278\/.323\/.520 (average, on-base percentage, slugging) and drove in 91 runs. Did Goodman expect to win a Silver Slugger?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t really a goal of mine before the season started last year,\u201d Goodman said. \u201cFrom all the stuff that happened, and how the season went, it was awesome to accomplish that. This offseason, I got to look back and kind of relish in what went well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman (15) in the first inning of a baseball game Friday in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\n
Rockies in the pregame clubhouse were quick to talk up a teammate they\u2019ve nicknamed Goody.<\/p>\n
Center fielder Brenton Doyle said, \u201cIt\u2019s awesome. I always knew he was able to do it. I started playing with Goody in Double-A, and I knew he had the offensive capability to really make an impact at the big-league level. He finally got the consistent playing time he deserved, and it showed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Left fielder Jordan Beck said: \u201cI told him: \u2018It was a matter of time.\u2019 He never had consistent at-bats the first two years. The moment he got consistent at-bats, it was going to show. Last year was the first year that he did it. To me, no surprises. I\u2019ve seen him do it all the way through the minor leagues, too. Not surprised. But it\u2019s a huge accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland: \u201cHe\u2019s a fighter up there. The league knows that he\u2019s gonna be going after stuff early. That\u2019s dangerous. If you\u2019re willing to throw a first-pitch fastball in there, it might get clipped.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goodman began this season with a five-game hitting streak. He homered against the Blue Jays. However, much like the team, Goodman struggled in a lopsided Opening Day loss to the Phillies. He struck out three times.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s still no lack of confidence that Goodman will be a catalyst in culture change at 20th and Blake Streets after three consecutive 100-loss seasons in Colorado. There is plenty of baseball left in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Goodman) leads by example. I think that\u2019s the most cliche thing I could ever say. But he does lead by example in a real way behind closed doors,\u201d Schaeffer said. \u201cGuys know that he loves to play and he puts up numbers. \u2026 He holds people accountable. You can tell when you watch Goody play that he\u2019s all for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goodman\u2019s success also hinges on his relationship with the Colorado pitching staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe and Hunter, we\u2019ve grown closer and closer over the past few years,\u201d Freeland said. \u201cHe\u2019s a great kid. He wants to learn. He wants to play hard. You see he wears his emotion on his sleeve, and he loves this game so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goodman ultimately downplayed the significance of accepting the Silver Slugger. He said, \u201cI\u2019ll enjoy getting to hold it and stuff, but then two or three minutes after that, I\u2019ve got to go play a baseball game.\u201d<\/p>\n
All business.<\/p>\n
Doyle and Goodman are former minor league teammates now with adjacent lockers in the Rockies clubhouse. Doyle said the pair has a \u201creally good friendship\u201d with constant banter intended to lift the other person up. They are part of a youth movement designed to change the trajectory of a franchise.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really want to be a part of something special,\u201d Doyle told The Denver Gazette. \u201cWhen you\u2019re done playing, you want to look back and be like: \u2018I was part of a shift in the Rockies\u2019 organization.\u2019 Really creating that winning atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goodman is in agreement. <\/p>\n
He understands that a Rockies renaissance starts with winning at Coors Field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know how the ballpark plays,\u201d Goodman said. \u201cIt should be of the utmost importance to win ballgames here.\u201d<\/p>\n
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