Braves' Simmons earns Defensive Player of the Year award
Despite falling shy of his third straight Gold Glove award less than 24 hours ago, Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons was recognized Wednesday for his efforts in the field in 2015 with the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award.
The top defenders at each position across both leagues, as determined by a comprehensive sabermetric assessment, also received accolades, while the Arizona Diamondbacks were lauded as the game's top defensive team.
| POS | Winner | DRS |
|---|---|---|
| C | Buster Posey | 9 |
| 1B | Paul Goldschmidt | 18 |
| 2B | Dee Gordon | 13 |
| 3B | Nolan Arenado | 18 |
| SS | Andrelton Simmons | 25 |
| LF | Starling Marte | 24 |
| CF | Kevin Pillar | 14 |
| RF | Jason Heyward | 22 |
| P | Jacob deGrom | 6 |
Simmons, however, wasn't the only player to be recognized by Wilson after failing to corral a Gold Glove award.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey lost out Tuesday to St. Louis Cardinals veteran Yadier Molina - who earned his eighth consecutive Gold Glove - but was hailed by Wilson as the game's top defender behind the plate. Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar was also honored despite watching Kevin Kiermaier of the Tampa Bay Rays earn the Gold Glove award, just as New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom - another Defensive Player of the Year honoree - lost out to Zack Greinke for the Gold Glove.
Simmons, interestingly, is the third Braves player in the last four years to be recognized as the game's foremost defender. In 2014, right fielder Jason Heyward - now with the St. Louis Cardinals - earned the honor, while center fielder Michael Bourn received the award in 2012.