As with the MVP and Cy Younger Awards, the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards will usually function acquainted faces, as sure gamers’ reputations proceed to shine. However typically, new names be part of the combo to stake a declare among the many finest defenders within the sport.
That might occur once more this season, as a mixture of typical suspects and recent faces have made compelling instances to take house {hardware} after the season. That is mirrored in a vote of MLB.com consultants, who made picks for the gamers they suppose will win the glory this season. Listed below are the outcomes.
All stats are by way of play on Sunday.
Kirk would change into the sixth totally different AL catcher to win the award in as a few years, however it’s not as if he hasn’t earned it. He stays an elite framer (98th percentile) and blocker (one hundredth percentile), and has been price a Fielding Run Worth of plus-19, simply the highest mark within the AL. Although Kirk’s pop time and throwing arm are every just a bit above common, the remainder of his defensive sport makes for a high-level complete bundle for a backstop.
Bailey has been the very best defender in baseball by Fielding Run Worth, at plus-29, which might even be one of many biggest defensive seasons tracked by Statcast (since 2015). That is as a result of he is elite at nearly all the things. He is the very best at framing (one hundredth percentile) and close to the highest in pop time and caught stealing above common (97th percentile in each), and is strong at blocking, too (78th percentile). Bailey is the king of Catcher Framing Runs, with 24 on the season — 10 greater than anybody else.
France has by no means been recognized for his protection. In reality, in 2024, he ranked within the first percentile with -12 Outs Above Common; he had gathered adverse OAA in every of his first six seasons within the Majors. In Spring Coaching, France reiterated that he was pleased with his protection and anticipated to point out that this season. Positive sufficient, he is delivered on his promise: His +10 OAA leads all first basemen, positioning himself to seize his first profession Gold Glove.
This is able to be Olson’s third profession Gold Glove, however his first within the NL and his first since 2019 as a member of the A’s. His plus-7 Fielding Run Worth is tied with France for the very best mark amongst MLB first basemen. In the meantime, Olson’s 16 Defensive Runs Saved are simply the very best mark among the many group, as are his 133 assists — which double as a profession excessive.
Giménez is the gold commonplace at second base: Because the begin of the 2022 season, nobody has extra Outs Above Common (62), and he is gained three consecutive Gold Gloves. A fourth appears so as this fall. The 27-year-old has missed time with an ankle sprain and a quad pressure this season, however he is been his typical self when wholesome, with 11 OAA slotting him within the 97th percentile.
Hoerner, a 2023 NL Gold Glove winner, has arguably change into MLB’s pre-eminent defensive second baseman. His plus-12 Fielding Run worth is the very best mark amongst all second basemen, as are his 14 Outs Above Common and his 17 DRS. He paces the place with 233 putouts, too.
Kansas Metropolis had two gamers win a Gold Glove final season, and the identical might very nicely occur this yr. Garcia, who’s having a breakout season with the bat, is equally adept together with his glove. He leads AL third basemen with a plus-11 Fielding Run Worth and 14 Outs Above Common. Paired with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (extra on him quickly), Garcia is a keystone of one of many sport’s finest left sides of the infield.
As with another names on this record, Hayes has emerged because the definitive standout at his place. The 2023 Gold Glove winner is much and away the third-base chief in DRS, with 19, and in Fielding Run Worth, at plus-16. In the meantime, his 20 Outs Above Common are nicely forward of all different MLB gamers on the scorching nook. He additionally leads all MLB third basemen with 276 assists.
Witt seems primed to win his second straight Gold Glove, as he leads all gamers with 23 Outs Above Common — surpassing his OAA (16) from 2024. As issues stand, Witt is on tempo to submit the very best single-season OAA from any participant since Jonathan Schoop (27 OAA) in 2022. Plus, solely Patrick Bailey and Pete Crow-Armstrong have the next Fielding Run Worth than Witt’s +19.
Winn has a few of the surest palms at shortstop. He is made simply three errors all season, which is the fewest amongst gamers with not less than 400 possibilities on the place. In the meantime, his 22 Outs Above Common ranks as the highest mark amongst NL shortstops and the second-best mark amongst all shortstops. To not point out, his plus-17 Fielding Run Worth can be tops amongst his friends within the Senior Circuit.
Kwan is hoping to change into the primary Cleveland participant to win 4 straight Gold Gloves since Omar Vizquel gained eight straight from 1994-2001. And he is in a fairly good place to take action. Kwan has posted a plus-9 Fielding Run Worth — main all left fielders — and he is persistently made opposing baserunners look silly, with an MLB-best 12 outfield assists.
Collins, who’s nonetheless within the hunt for NL Rookie of the 12 months, leads all NL left fielders with 5 Outs Above Common, whereas his plus-3 Fielding Run Worth additionally leads the best way. A Gold Glove win for Collins would give the Brewers two straight outfield winners, as Sal Frelick gained in proper subject final season. He would additionally be part of a rising record of rookies to win a Gold Glove.
Rafaela has cut up time between second base and middle subject, however accidents to Wilyer Abreu and Roman Anthony have shifted the 24-year-old again to middle on a full-time foundation. That is excellent news for the Pink Sox, as a result of he is elite within the outfield. He is been price +19 Outs Above Common, tied with Pete Crow-Armstrong for essentially the most amongst outfielders. A lot of his worth derives from his wonderful jumps, as his common leap is 5.2 toes higher than common.
Crow-Armstrong has a behavior of constructing the seemingly inconceivable look routine, hauling in outs that might fall for hits in entrance of most different outfielders. He’s transformed 14 five-star performs, six greater than the following closest outfielder, compiling probably the greatest defensive seasons that Stacast has on document. His plus-20 Fielding Run Worth is the very best amongst all outfielders, whereas his 19 Outs Above Common are tied for many among the many group.
Looking for his second straight Gold Glove, Abreu touts an elite mixture of vary and arm energy. Abreu has made extra five-star catches (eight) than anybody not named Pete Crow-Armstrong, a powerful accomplishment for a nook outfielder. To not point out, his common arm energy is 94.3 mph, good for the 98th percentile. Ought to Abreu and Rafaela every win a Gold Glove, they’d change into the primary pair of Pink Sox outfielders to win Gold Gloves in the identical season since Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. in 2018.
Tatis stays an elite outfielder when it comes to each vary and arm energy, and, backside line, he makes performs. Tatis leads all MLB proper fielders with 334 putouts, 64 greater than the next-highest complete. He additionally leads with 18 DRS, has a right-field-best plus-9 Fielding Run Worth and is tied for the lead for double performs turned in proper subject, with three. He additionally has a severe homer-robbing behavior that causes suits for the opposition.
Dubón is the epitome of versatility, having began at each place however catcher and pitcher this season. Past that, it isn’t a stretch to name him one of many sport’s finest fielders: His plus-16 Fielding Run Worth and 17 Outs Above Common are every within the 98th percentile or higher of MLB. He is been price zero or constructive OAA or higher in any respect seven positions that he is performed, too.
Lopez has been principally a shortstop this season (95 begins), however he is additionally spent important time at second base (32 video games). And he is gotten it accomplished in each spots. His six DRS as a second baseman rank sixth within the NL, regardless of his part-time position, whereas his six at shortstop are the fourth-best complete within the league. Mixed, Lopez’s 12 DRS are tied for the seventh-highest mark amongst all MLB infielders.
Having gained three Gold Gloves as a member of the Braves (2020-22), Fried would change into the fourth pitcher to win the award in each leagues after Mark Buehrle, Jim Kaat and Bobby Shantz. His artful pickoff transfer continues to efficiently catch runners off guard, as he led all AL pitchers with seven pickoffs getting into play Monday. He makes performs, too, so it is no shock that Fried led all MLB pitchers with 9 Defensive Runs Saved by way of Sunday.
Webb’s six DRS are tied for essentially the most amongst NL pitchers. It is sensible, too, given a few of his extra conventional stats. He leads NL pitchers with 31 assists and has turned three double performs, essentially the most of any MLB pitcher. He could be the fourth NL pitcher to win the award in as a few years, after an extended stretch that was principally dominated by Fried and Zack Greinke. Webb would even be the primary Giants pitcher to win a Gold Glove since Rick Reuschel in 1987, and simply the second ever.
