Honoring MLB’s best gloves.
The World Series is over and “The Awards Season” is upon us. MLB, along with sponsoring organizations, has already begun recognizing the best in hitting, fielding and pitching – witness the recent Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards. In the near future, we’ll see such recognitions as MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year. (The Baseball Bloggers Alliance has also announced its honorees in those major categories, which you will find by clicking here.)
In this post, BBRT will focus on the least glamorous, most often overlooked (or undervalued) segment of the regular season awards – those honoring defensive excellence. Why start with defensive recognition? Several reasons:
1) The awards for defense are already out there.
2) With my favorite ballpark experience being a tightly played 1-0, 2-1 or 3-2 game, defense has always been a personal passion.
3) Defense counts. (Consider: The Orioles and Royals each had an MLB-best three Gold Glovers and were the last two teams standing in the AL – The Cardinals and Royals led their leagues in Defensive Runs Saved and both made the “final four.”)
4) As a Twins’ fan, I miss those days when the Twins were dominating the AL Central and Baseball Tonight’s Web Gems.
So, let get on with a look at the 2014 awards for defensive excellence. The three most significant defensive recognitions are:
- Rawlings Gold Glove … This is the most senior (and most recognized and publicized) defensive award, established in 1957. It is also considered the most subjective, with 75 percent of the results dependent on a vote of MLB managers and coaches and 25 percent on statistical defensive metrics (provided by MLB and the Society for American Baseball Research – SABR). The Gold Glove is awarded to one player at each position in each league.
- The Fielding Bible Awards … Established in 2006, the Fielding Bible Awards are considered to be less subjective than the Gold Gloves. These awards are voted on by a panel of “sabermetrically” inclined and experienced journalists (and bloggers) – including such respected observers and reporters on the national pastime as Bill James, Peter Gammons and Joe Posnanski. The Fieldeing Bible Award is given to one player at each position.
- Wilson Defensive Player(s) of the Year … Established in 2012, this recognition is based on scouting reports, traditional defensive statistics and sabermetric measures like Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), Defensive Wins Above Replacement (dWAR) and other less self-explanatory statistics. The Wilson DPOY Award is given to one player at each position.
In addition, each year SABR honors the best defensive player in each league (any position) with the Platinum Glove Award – based on sabermetrics and a fan vote. Wilson also selects an overall Defensive Player of the Year – based on traditional and advanced fielding metrics.
If all of this seems clumsily complex or overly metric, that is not without reason. The increased use of metrics in the awards process is intended to add accuracy and prevent occurrences like Texas Ranger Rafael Palmeiro’s 1999 Gold Glove at first base.
The Strangest Ever Gold Glove Recognition
In 1999, the Texas Rangers’ Rafael Palmeiro had a tremendous offensive year, hitting .324, with 47 home runs and 148 RBI. He was an All Star and well-deserving of his Silver Slugger Award as the league’s best offensive first baseman. To further add to his reputation, Palmeiro also won his third-consecutive Gold Glove as the AL’s top defensive first baseman. That recognition, voted by managers and coaches, came despite the fact that Palmeiro was primarily a designated hitter in 1999. He won his Gold Glove while starting just 28 games in the field and handling just 275 chances (with one error). In contrast, Gold Glove contender Tino Martinez (Yankees) handled 1,414 chances with seven errors (.995 percentage) and slick fielding Twins’ first sacker Doug Mientkiewicz recorded 930 chances with just three errors (.997 percentage). Maybe they just didn’t want to spend all that time and money engraving Mientkiewicz’ name on the award.
Even with the added metrics, there is still controversy and there is not always agreement on the top defender – even among the three award programs. The chart below shows the 2014 winners for each Award. Following the chart is BBRT’s take on MLB’s top defender at each position. Note: Unless otherwise noted, the metric rankings are for each position and include only players with at least 100 games at that position.
Now let’s look at the 2014 award winners.
Catcher
No agreement among the three awards here – with the Cardinals’ Yadier Molina, Royals’ Salvador Perez and Pirates’ Russell Martin all claiming a share of the honors. In the NL, the Gold Glove at backstop went to the Molina, his seventh consecutive such honor. (Molina also has won six Fielding Bible and two Wilson DPOY Awards.) Molina finished tied for fourth in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with eight, despite missing seven weeks due to injury. He finished fifth in dWAR (1.5). He also threw out 47.7 percent of attempted base stealers and achieved a 3.20 Catcher’s ERA, both best among players starting at least 100 games behind the plate. In the AL, the Gold Glove went to the Perez, his second consecutive GG (in his second full MLB season). Perez led all MLB catchers in games started behind the plate (143) and in Defensive Wins Above Replacement (dWAR) at 2.1. He tied Molina for fourth in DRS at eight; threw out 30.5 percent of attempted base stealers and had MLB’s fourth-best full-time Catcher’s ERA (3.26). The Fielding Bible Award winner was Jonathon Lucroy, who finished second in DRS (11) and tied for second in dWAR (2.0). The Wilson DPOY went to Russell Martin of the Pirates, who finished number-one in DRS (12), despite starting only 106 games behind the plate. Martin also threw out 38.5 percent of attempted base stealers and tied for second in dWAR at 2.0. Martin won a Wilson DPOY Award in 2013.
Yadier Molina
BBRT’s Choice: Yadier Molina. It was a close contest between Gold Glovers Molina and Perez – both adept at calling a game, blocking errant pitches, “framing” a pitch and stopping base stealers. Three factors swung my choice: Molina had the same number of Defensive Runs Saved as Perez in fewer games; Molina’s had a significant edge in throwing out potential base stealers; In eleven season, Molina has thrown out more than 40 percent of potential base stealers nine times – averaging 45 percent, with a high of 64 percent in 2005; while, in four season, Perez has thrown out an average of 33 percent of potential base stealers, with a high of 42 percent in 2012 – and his percentage has dropped in each of the past two seasons.
Cardinals’ catcher Yadier Molina and Royals left fielder Alex Gordon were honored with the Platinum Glove Awards as the top defensive players in their respective leagues. The award, presented by the Society for American Baseball Research, is based on a combination of sabrmetrics and a fan vote.
First Base
Adrian Gonzalez
Dodgers’ first sacker Adrian Gonzalez captured the NL Gold Glove, the Fielding Bible Award and the Wilson DPOY recognition. It was Gonzalez’ fourth Gold Glove and first Fielding Bible and Wilson DPOY Awards, Gonzalez topped all first baseman with 12 Defensive Runs Saved and finished second overall and led NL first baseman in dWAR (0.2). Gonzalez also showed good range, leading all of MLB first baseman with 1,442 total chances (six errors). The Royals’ Eric Hosmer picked up the AL Gold Glove, his second. Hosmer finished sixteenth in DRS among first basemen (3).
BBRT Choice: Adrian Gonzalez.
Dodgers’ first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was the only player to win both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award in 2014.
Second Base
Ian Kinsler
Boston’s Dustin Pedroia took two honors here – The AL Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Award. It was Pedroia’s fourth Gold Glove and third Fielding Bible Award. Pedroia has also won two Wilson DPOY Awards. Pedroia finished second among second basemen in DRS at 17 and dWAR at 2.5 He committed just two errors in 654 chances – an MLB best .997 fielding percentage at the keystone sack. The Rockies’ DJ LeMahieu was the NL Gold Glover, finishing third in DSR (16) and dWAR (2.2). LeMahieu committed six errors in 676 chances for a .991 fielding percentage. LeMahieu won a Wilson DPOT Award in 2013. Detroit’s Ian Kinsler earned the Wilson DPOY honor and topped all MLB second baseman with 20 DRS, as well as in dWAR (2.0). He also was first in MLB among second baseman in total chances (766) and second in assists (467).
BBRT Choice: Tough call, but BBRT gives a slight edge to Kinsler over Pedroia, thanks to Kinsler edge in DRS, dWAR and total chances.
Third Base
Kyle Seager
Another major split among the defensive awards – four possible winners, four different choices. The Gold Gloves went to the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado in the NL and the Mariners’ Kyle Seager in the AL. Arenado finished third in DRS (16) and fourth in dWAR (1.9). Seager finished seventh in DRS (10), fifth in dWar (1.7) He also made only eight errors in 422 chances, leading all MLB third sackers in fielding percentage at .987. The Fielding Bible recognition went to the A’s Josh Donaldson, who led all of MLB third baseman in DRS with 20 and dWAR with 2.7. Donaldson did make 23 errors, but he also handled the most chances (482) of any third baseman (outdistancing Seager by 60 chances, while playing seven fewer games). The Wilson DPOY honoree at third base was Juan Uribe – who also won Wilson recognition in 2013. Uribe finished second among third basemen in DSR (17) and dWAR (2.0), despite playing only 102 games (starting 98) at third base.
BBRT Choice: Kyle Seager – on the basis of sure hands and top fielding percentage. Could easily have gone to Josh Donaldson on the basis of range or Uribe on the basis of impact in only 102 games.
Shortstop
Andrelton Simmons – top the backhand.
A sweep here, as the Braves’ Andrelton Simmons outran the field, winning the NL Gold Glove, Fielding Bible Award and Wilson DPOY honors. It his first two full seasons, Simmons has captured two Gold Gloves, two Fielding Bible Awards and two Wilson DPOY recognitions. Simmons finished first in all of MLB among shortstops with 28 defensive runs saved, first in dWAR at 3.9. The Orioles’ J.J. Hardy earned his third-consecutive AL Gold Glove, finishing fourth overall – and first in the AL – in DRS (10) at the shortstop position. Similarly, he finished fifth overall and first in the AL in dWAR (2.1).
BBRT Choice: Andrelton Simmons.
Left Field
Alex Gordon as top left fielder – as clear as black and white.
The Royals’ Alex Gordon won the AL Gold Glove, Fielding Bible Award and Wilson DPOY. For Gordon, who switched to the outfield in 2010, after three seasons primarily at third base, it was his fourth-consecutive Gold Glove and third-consecutive Fielding Bible Award. How good was Gordon? His 27 defensive runs saved were more than double nearest competitor – NL Gold Glove Winner Christian Yelich of the Marlins (13 DRS). Gordon also finished fourth in OF assists (8) and first in total chances (351). Yelich was no slouch finishing (a distant) fourth in dWAR (0.4), second in DRS and third in total chances (262).
BBRT Choice: Alex Gordon is the top fly chaser in left field.
Center Field
Lorenzo Cain – covers a LOT of ground.
The Mets’ Juan Lagares captured the NL Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Award. The speedy, far-ranging Lagares notched an MLB CF-leading 28 Defensive Runs Saved – 13 more than his closest competitor (13 DRS each for the Diamondbacks’ Ender Inciarte and Rangers’ Leonys Martin). Lagares also was the MLB CF leader in dWAR (3.4). It was the first Gold Glove and second Wilson DPOY Award for Lagares, in just his second MLB season. The Royals’ Lorenzo Cain captured the Wilson DPOY Award (his third) and might have picked up the Fielding Bible honors if he hadn’t split time between LF and CF. Cain had 14 DRS in CF and 10 more DRS in right field. (As the chart shows, Cain did win a Fielding Bible Award for multi-position player.) The Orioles’ Adam Jones won the AL Gold Glove, but lagged in DRS (2.0) and dWAR (0.8). Despite those metrics, Jones is known for sure hands and a strong arm. Note: Jones selection has been criticized by some analysts, but he did finish among the AL’s top-five center fielders in putouts, assists and double plays – and his reputation and past record may have boosted his support. Jones led all AL CFs in putouts and assists in 2010, 2012, 2013. The 2014 Gold Glove was Jones’ third-consecutive and fourth overall. BBRT note: Keep an eye on Boston’s Jackie Bradley Jr. in the future. In 2014, he led MLB centerfielder in assists with 13 – in just 113 games – and made just one error in 307 chances.
BBRT Choice: Lorenzo Cain – I know he split time between center and right, but given the choice, he’s the player I’d put in the center of my outfield garden.
Right Field
Jason Heyward – number-one in Defensive Runs Saved.
The Braves’ Jason Heyward led all of MLB defenders (any position) with 32 Defensive Runs Saved and captured the NL Gold Glove, Fielding Bible Award and Wilson DPOT Award. It was Heyward’s second Gold Glove and second Fielding Bible Award. Heyward also finished first in dWAR (2.8). He led all RFs in total chances (375) – while making just one error. The Orioles’ Nick Markakis earned his second AL Gold Glove. Like Adam Jones, Markakis’ advanced metrics aren’t flashy – just one Defensive Run Saved and a dWAR of -0.5. However, Markakis led all right fielders with 11 assists, finished fifth in total chances (206) – and did not make a single error. Markakis, in fact, is on a 328-game errorless streak – going back to August 10, 2012.
BBRT’s Choice: Jason Heyward.
Braves’ right fielder Jason Heyward was selected as the Wilson (overall) Defensive Player of the Year.
Pitcher
Dallas Keuchel
The Astros’ Dallas Keuchel took the AL Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Award, leading all pitchers with ten Defensive Runs Saved (the only pitcher in double digits). Keuchel led all MLB hurlers in total chances (66) and assists (47). Zach Grienke of the Dodgers took the NL Gold Glove, notching five DRS and the Reds’ Johnny Cueto won the Wilson DPOY at the pitcher spot (six DRS).
BBRT Choice: Dallas Keuchel
Coming Soon – A look at the Silver Slugger Awards – and players that have won a Sliver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season..
