Yelich, J.D. Martinez named 2018 Hank Aaron Award winners

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich and Boston Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez have won the 2018 Hank Aaron Award as the top offensive players in their respective leagues, Major League Baseball announced on Friday.

The pair were presented with their awards by Aaron - who held baseball's all-time home-run record for 33 years - before Game 3 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium.

The Brewers acquired Yelich from the Miami Marlins in a blockbuster trade over the winter. He rewarded them by breaking out as the National League's top hitter. Over 147 games, he slashed .326/.402/.598 (164 OPS+) with 36 homers, 110 RBIs, 118 runs scored, 34 doubles, seven triples, and 22 stolen bases. He led all NL hitters in batting average, slugging, OPS, OPS+, and total bases, while also finishing second in RBIs and third in homers.

Yelich also hit for the cycle twice against the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first player to ever hit two cycles against the same team in one season. He also made a late run at winning the NL's first Triple Crown in 81 years, but ultimately came up short.

The 26-year-old is the second Brewers hitter to win this award, joining Prince Fielder, who received the honor in 2007.

Martinez, who's been one of the most feared sluggers in baseball for the last five years, put together perhaps his finest season after joining the Red Sox on a mega-contract early in spring training. He played in 150 games for the AL champions, slashing .330/.402/.629 (173 OPS+) with 43 homers, 130 RBIs, 82 extra-base hits, 111 runs scored, and 358 total bases. He led the majors in both RBIs and total bases and ranked top three in virtually every important offensive category.

Martinez is the fourth Red Sox player to win the Hank Aaron Award, joining Manny Ramirez (2004), David Ortiz (2005 and 2016), and Kevin Youkilis (2008).