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Reynolds' Silver Slugger fate approaching

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By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

11/09/09 8:00 PM EST

PHOENIX -- This time last year the big question was whether Brandon Webb's 22 wins would propel the D-backs right-hander past Tim Lincecum in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

This year, though, Arizona fans will have to shift their focus to the Silver Slugger Awards, which will be announced on Thursday at 4 p.m. MST on MLB Network.

D-backs third baseman Mark Reynolds figures to be a top contender for the Silver Slugger Award following a season in which he slugged 44 home runs.

Other top contenders for the award, which is presented to the best offense player at each position as voted on by each league's coaches and managers, are Pablo Sandoval of the Giants and Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals.

Reynolds ranked second among third baseman in OPS (on-base plus slugging) with an .892 mark, behind Sandoval (.943) and ahead of Zimmerman (.888).

Reynolds' homer total easily outpaced both Zimmerman (33) and Sandoval (25), while his RBI total of 102 was two behind Zimmerman and 12 ahead of Sandoval.

Outfielder Luis Gonzalez and pitcher Micah Owings are the only players in franchise history to win Silver Slugger. Gonzalez won his in 2001, a season in which he hit 57 homers, while Owings was rewarded for his outstanding 2007 campaign, when he slugged four homers in 60 at-bats and had an OPS of 1.033.

One other award in which a D-backs player could show up is NL Rookie of the Year, which will be announced Nov. 16.

Outfielder Gerardo Parra had an impressive debut in which he hit .290 with 21 doubles, eight triples, five homers and 60 RBIs in 455 at-bats. The 22-year-old, who was named the NL's Rookie of the Month for May, will not win the honor, but is likely to get some votes.

Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan, Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson, Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ, Pirates outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones are some of the top contenders for the award.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.