The winners of the 2014 Rawlings Gold Glove award were announced earlier this week. The award is given to the best defensive player at his respective position. Until last season managers and coaches voted for the winners of the award. This is the second year in which advanced defensive metrics (ultimate zone rating, defensive runs saved, total zone rating, etc.) have been used to make up 25 percent of the selection criteria while the votes from managers and coaches makes up the remaining 75 percent.
The Royals and Orioles led the way with three winners each while the Braves and Rockies each had two winners. Jason Heyward of the Braves led all of Major League Baseball in defensive runs saved with 32. His teammate, Andrelton Simmons was second in MLB with 28. Last year Simmons won the Platinum Glove award, which is given to the best overall defensive player in each league. It will be interesting to see if Heyward overthrows Andrelton and takes the award this season.
Here are the winners:
National League
Pitcher
Zack Greinke, Dodgers
Runners up: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
Catcher
Yadier Molina, Cardinals
Runners up: Russell Martin, Pirates; Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers
First Base
Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers
Runners up: Adam LaRoche, Nationals; Justin Morneau, Rockies
Second Base
DJ LeMahieu, Rockies
Runners up: Brandon Phillips, Reds; Chase Utley, Phillies
Shortstop
Andrelton Simmons, Braves
Runners up: Adeiny Hechavarria, Marlins; Zack Cosart, Reds
Third Base
Nolan Arenado, Rockies
Runners up: Pablo Sandoval, Giants; Juan Uribe, Dodgers
Left Field
Christian Yelich, Marlins
Runners up: Starling Marte, Pirates; Justin Upton, Braves
Center Field
Juan Lagares, Mets
Runners up: Billy Hamilton, Reds; Denard Span, Nationals
Right Field
Jason Heyward, Braves
Runners up: Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks/Brewers; Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
By the way, this was Heywards ONLY error of the season:
[mlbvideo id=”32466953″ width=”400″ height=”224″ /]
American League
Pitcher
Dallas Keuchel, Astros
Runners up: Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays; Felix Hernandez, Mariners
Catcher
Salvador Perez, Royals
Runners up: Alex Avila, Tigers; Yan Gomes, Indians
First Base
Eric Hosmer, Royals
Runners up: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers; Albert Pujols, Angels
Second Base
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
Runners up: Robinson Cano, Mariners; Ian Kinsler, Tigers
Shortstop
J.J. Hardy, Orioles
Runners up: Alcides Escobar, Royals; Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
Third Base
Kyle Seager, Mariners
Runners up: Adrian Beltre, Rangers; Josh Donaldson, Athletics
Left Field
Alex Gordon, Royals
Runners up: Yoenis Cespedes, A’s/Red Sox; Michael Brantley, Indians
Center Field
Adam Jones, Orioles
Runners up: Adam Eaton, White Sox; Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox
Right Field
Nick Markakis, Orioles
Runners up: Kole Calhoun, Angels; Kevin Kiermaier, Rays
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*featured image credit: Matt Slocum/AP
