Reds right fielder Jay Bruce and Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis are among the nominees for the 2013 Hank Aaron Award given annually to the most outstanding offensive player in each league.
Bruce played in a career-high 160 games and finished the year with a .262 batting average. He posted career highs with 109 RBI and 43 doubles while smacking 30 home runs. He reached the 30-home run plateau for the third consecutive season. The 26-year-old finished second in the National League in RBI and extra-base hits (74) while coming in third in home runs, doubles and intentional walks.
Kipnis batted .284 this season with 17 home runs, 36 doubles, 84 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. He made his first All-Star team.
Both players helped their teams make the postseason as wild card teams.
For the fourth straight year, a special panel of Hall of Fame players led by Hank Aaron will join fans in voting for the award, which is officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball and has recognized the most outstanding offensive performer in each League since it was established in 1999.
Per MLB, Aaron helped select the Hall of Fame panel that includes former Indians Eddie Murray and Roberto Alomar, former Red Johnny Bench, Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount.
Fans can vote exclusively online at MLB.com and the 30 Club sites through Oct. 10.
One finalist was picked from each of MLB's 30 teams.
Winners will be announced during the World Series.
