Three Blue Jays Are Gold Glove Winners
Last night, the 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were announced on ESPN. The Toronto Blue Jays had five finalists for the awards including Matt Chapman for Third Base, Daulton Varsho for Left Field, Kevin Kiermaier for Center Field, Alejandro Kirk for Catcher and José Berríos for Pitcher. Of those five Chapman, Kiermaier and Berríos were awarded the 2023 Gold Glove.
With this year’s Gold Glove, Matt Chapman now is a four-time Gold Glove winner as well as a two-time Platinum Glove winner. On the season Chapman had 4 Outs Above Average which was ranked 11th among MLB third baseman. Chapman had a fielding run value of 3, while also having 12 defensive runs saved.
Photo by Jeff Dean/Associated Press
Kevin Kiermaier joins Chapman in winning his fourth Gold Glove. This Gold Glove is his most recent since 2019. Kiermaier continues to be one of the best center fielders in the league, as he was tied for the American League lead for Fielding Run Value with 12, tied with Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Both Kiermaier and Robert Jr., tied for the AL lead in Outs Above Average with 13. For Both Fielding Run Value and Outs Above Average, Kiermaier ranked second in the MLB only to Colorado Rockies rookie Brenton Doyle, who won his first Gold Glove this season as well. Kiermaier was obviously strong with his glove, but his arm still continues to be one of the best in the league as he ranked fourth in the majors with an average 92.8 MPH throw with his max being 97.9 MPH.
Unlike Chapman and Kiermaier, pitcher José Berríos won his first career Gold Glove. He was a finalist last season, but ultimately Berríos lost to Shane Bieber. For pitchers, it is harder to look at defensive stats especially because it is a tougher position to really evaluate. Berríos had 43 Total Chances and was able to get a career high 15 Putouts as well as a career high of 26 Assists. On the season, Berríos only had 2 Errors making for a .953 Fielding Percentage.
Photo by Abbie Parr/The Canadian Press/AP
