Predicting MLB's Gold Glove winners
Major League Baseball is set to announce its Gold Glove winners on Tuesday.
Winning a Gold Glove may not be as prestigious an award as an MVP, but many players pride themselves on defense, which is an essential part of baseball that is sometimes overlooked in favor of exciting offensive statistics.
While some of the game's top highlight-reel playmakers - Kevin Pillar and Byron Buxton - have a chance at taking home their first Gold Gloves, defensive wizards such as Yadier Molina and Nolan Arenado are looking to add another item to their mantles.
With the official announcement set for Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, here are predictions at every position - in both leagues - for who will take home the gold.
Catcher
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Finalists
American League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Yan Gomes | Indians |
| Martin Maldonado | Angels |
| Salvador Perez | Royals |
National League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Tucker Barnhart | Reds |
| Yadier Molina | Cardinals |
| Buster Posey | Giants |
American League prediction: Martin Maldonado, Angels, 1st Gold Glove
National League prediction: Tucker Barnhart, Reds, 1st Gold Glove
Maldonado caught 39 percent of baserunners attempting to steal, did not make a fielding error all season (two came via the throw), and owned a plus-10 in defensive runs saved.
Molina may be the gold standard behind the dish in the NL, but Barnhart deserves the award after owning a near perfect .999 fielding percentage, while throwing out 44 percent of base-stealers.
First base
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Finalists
American League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Eric Hosmer | Royals |
| Mitch Moreland | Red Sox |
| Carlos Santana | Indians |
National League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Paul Goldschmidt | Diamondbacks |
| Anthony Rizzo | Cubs |
| Joey Votto | Reds |
American League prediction: Carlos Santana, Indians, 1st Gold Glove
National League prediction: Paul Goldschmidt, D-Backs, 3rd Gold Glove
Santana, who converted to first base after beginning his career as a catcher, was a plus-10 in defensive runs saved, owned a 4.8 Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), and posted a 13 in Rtot, which measures the number of runs above or below average a player is worth based on the number of plays they make.
It was a close one between Goldschmidt and Votto, but the Diamondbacks first baseman posted a higher DRS (plus-10), and Rtot (15) than his Reds counterpart and showed some fine glove work with 27 first-base scoops.
Second base
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Finalists
American League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Brian Dozier | Twins |
| Ian Kinsler | Tigers |
| Dustin Pedroia | Red Sox |
National League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Dee Gordon | Marlins |
| DJ LeMahieu | Rockies |
| Ben Zobrist | Cubs |
American League prediction: Ian Kinsler, Tigers, 2nd Gold Glove
National League prediction: DJ LeMahieu, Rockies, 2nd Gold Glove
Statistically, Pedroia posted better defensive statistics than Kinsler in fielding percentage and Rtot, but the Red Sox second baseman only appeared in 98 games at his position. Kinsler may have only posted a league average .983 fielding percentage, but his plus-6 in DRS and 6.1 UZR should be enough to earn him a second consecutive Gold Glove.
LeMahieu should earn the nod in the NL thanks to 153 solid games - spanning more than 1,300 innings - at second base where he posted a career-high 14 Rtot and a plus-8 DRS. He also turned 59 double plays.
Third base
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Finalists
American League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Evan Longoria | Rays |
| Manny Machado | Orioles |
| Jose Ramirez | Indians |
National League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Nolan Arenado | Rockies |
| David Freese | Pirates |
| Anthony Rendon | Nationals |
American League prediction: Evan Longoria, Rays, 3rd Gold Glove
National League prediction: Anthony Rendon, Nationals, 1st Gold Glove
Longoria owned a .968 fielding percentage, which was lower than Alex Bregman and Kyle Seager - both of whom aren't Gold Glove finalists. Still, he deserves the award over Machado and Ramirez, who spent half of his season as a second baseman. Longoria bested Machado in DRS, UZR/150, and Rtot.
Arenado is a beast at third base, but this year the Gold Glove must go to Rendon whose 13.6 UZR ranked third in baseball and was tops among third baseman.
Shortstop
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Finalists
American League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Elvis Andrus | Rangers |
| Francisco Lindor | Indians |
| Andrelton Simmons | Angels |
National League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Brandon Crawford | Giants |
| Freddy Galvis | Phillies |
| Corey Seager | Dodgers |
American League prediction: Andrelton Simmons, Angels, 3rd Gold Glove
National League prediction: Brandon Crawford, Giants, 3rd Gold Glove
Simmons is arguably the best defensive player in baseball and he managed to once again show his expertise at one of the game's toughest positions. The 28-year-old played close to 1,370 innings at short and posted a plus-32 in DRS to go along with a UZR of 15.5 and a .980 fielding percentage.
In the NL, the race should be far closer, with Crawford earning his third consecutive Gold Glove. The 30-year-old still posted a .982 fielding percentage and 7.0 UZR despite playing on the league's worst team.
Left field
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Finalists
American League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Brett Gardner | Yankees |
| Alex Gordon | Royals |
| Justin Upton | Tigers/Angels |
National League
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Adam Duvall | Reds |
| Marcell Ozuna | Marlins |
| Gerardo Parra | Rockies |
American League prediction: Brett Gardner, Yankees, 2nd Gold Glove
National League prediction: Marcell Ozuna, Marlins, 1st Gold Glove
One season after winning the first Gold Glove of his career, Gardner should take home No. 2. The Yankees' veteran outfielder posted a plus-20 in DRS - his highest since 2011 - and had 12 assists, which tied a career high.
Ozuna should take home his first Gold Glove after logging more than 1,350 innings in the outfield, alongside career highs in DRS (plus-10) and assists (10).
Center field
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| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Byron Buxton | Twins |
| Lorenzo Cain | Royals |
| Kevin Pillar | Blue Jays |
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Billy Hamilton | Reds |
| Ender Inciarte | Braves |
| Michael A. Taylor | Nationals |
American League prediction: Byron Buxton, Twins, 1st Gold Glove
National League prediction: Billy Hamilton, Reds, 1st Gold Glove
Buxton came into his own in 2017, helping lead the Twins to the postseason, and while he became a better offensive player, his defense was also remarkable. Buxton finished third in baseball in DRS (plus-24), made just five errors, and posted a Rtot of 32.
Taylor may have been a defensive god sent to the Nationals after a season-ending injury to Adam Eaton, but Hamilton was the NL's king of defense in center. His 13 assists, .991 fielding percentage, and ability to play clean (three errors) should earn him his first Gold Glove.
Right field
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| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Mookie Betts | Red Sox |
| Kole Calhoun | Angels |
| Aaron Judge | Yankees |
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Jason Heyward | Cubs |
| Yasiel Puig | Dodgers |
| Giancarlo Stanton | Marlins |
American League prediction: Mookie Betts, Red Sox, 2nd Gold Glove
National League prediction: Yasiel Puig, Dodgers, 1st Gold Glove
Betts was hands down the best right fielder in the AL this season. The Red Sox superstar was second in baseball in DRS (plus-31), first in UZR (20.5) and UZR/150 (18.9), and posted a range factor - which calculates the total number of outs participated in - of 2.44 which was good for fifth in MLB.
In the NL, The Wild Horse, Yasiel Puig, is deserving of his first Gold Glove thanks to a career-high DRS of plus-18, UZR of 12.1, and UZR/150 of 15.5. Puig also recorded a .996 fielding percentage in more than 1,200 innings in right field.
Pitcher
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| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Alex Cobb | Rays |
| Chris Sale | Red Sox |
| Marcus Stroman | Blue Jays |
| PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Zach Davies | Brewers |
| R.A. Dickey | Braves |
| Zack Greinke | Diamondbacks |
American League prediction: Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays, 1st Gold Glove
National League prediction: R.A. Dickey, Braves, 2nd Gold Glove
Predicting a Gold Glove winner for pitchers can be tough because of how infrequent the defensive activity is at the position, but Stroman should get the nod for having the ability to start double plays from his position (six during the season). He also posted a plus-5 in DRS and made just one error.
In the NL and in what could be his final season, Dickey should earn the second Gold Glove of his career after posting a DRS of plus-7 to go along with 44 assists.