Every Silver Slugger Award winner in KC Royals history

Gary Gaetti (1995)

Most of third baseman Gary Gaetti's career success came with the Minnesota Twins, but his batting arguably peaked during his time with the Royals. The 1987 World Series champion won his only Silver Slugger with his former division rival, even though his contributions did not lead to a winning team.

The Illinois native hit a career-high 35 home runs for the Royals in 1995, ranking seventh among all AL hitters that year. Gaetti posted a slash line of .261/.329/.518, an impressive feat for the 36-year-old. While that season was a significant positive outlier in his post-Minnesota career, his .814 OPS in a Royals uniform made Gaetti a valuable contributor in Kansas City for three seasons.

George Brett (1980, 1985, 1988)

George Brett spent his entire 21-season career with the Royals, but his bat shined particularly brightly in the years he earned Silver Slugger honors. In 1980, Brett posted one of the most remarkable seasons of his career, slashing .390/.454/.664 — a league-leading batting average that remains one of the highest in modern baseball. His dominance helped propel the Royals to their first World Series appearance.

Brett’s 1985 Silver Slugger season was key to the Royals’ championship run, as he hit .335/.436/.585 with 30 home runs and 112 RBI. His clutch performances in the postseason solidified his legacy as one of the Royals' most dependable bats in high-stakes moments.

By 1988, Brett shifted from third base to first but remained a force at the plate, posting a .306/.389/.497 line with 24 home runs. His versatility and sustained production helped Kansas City stay competitive, proving that Brett was still an elite hitter well into his 30s.