Mookie Betts is among several Los Angeles Dodgers who are finalists for various individual accolades, but he’s already collected some hardware for the 2022 season by way of a Fielding Bible Award.
This year’s Fielding Bible winners were determined by a 15-person voting panel. The panel selects 10 winners each season, with one at each position plus an additional award that goes to the best defensive multi-position player.
The panel was comprised of Sports Info Solutions (SIS) chairman John Dewan, Bill James, Emma Baccellieri (Sports Illustrated), Dan Casey (SIS), Chris Dial (sabermetrician), Alyson Footer (MLB.com), Peter Gammons (The Athletic), Moses Massena (MLB Network), Eduardo Pérez (ESPN), Hal Richman (Strat-O-Matic), Travis Sawchik (The Score), Bobby Scales (SIS), Joe Sheehan, Mark Simon (SIS) and the SIS Video Scout staff.
After the 2022 regular season concluded, they selected their top 10 from a list of 15 players that required the highest Defensive Versatility Score, a formula created by James. Players were graded on a scale from one to 10, with a first-place vote amounting to 10 points, second place garnering nine points, and so forth.
Betts won by an 11-point margin over the Houston Astros’ Kyle Tucker.
“So much of baseball is evolving, but one thing that never changes is the value of defensive excellence,” Dewan said in a statement. “This year’s Fielding Bible Award winners are impressive, dedicated, and well-deserving. Congratulations to all of our honorees.”
Betts finished second to Aristides Aquino of the Cincinnati Reds in Defensive Runs Saved among all right fielders. However, he led NL right fielders in Total Zone Rating (31), and was second in Ultimate Zone Rating (12.5), Outs Above Average (5) and Defensive Runs Saved (15). He also was a leader in SABR Defensive Index (SDI) through Aug. 28, with 11.19.
Betts and Nolan Arenado, another 2022 recipient, are tied for second all-time with five career Fielding Bible Awards since its inception in 2006. Andrelton Simmons and Yadier Molina share the lead with six each. Though, Simmons hasn’t won since 2018, and Molina’s last Fielding Bible Award of his career came in 2013.
Over recent years, Betts (right field) and Kiké Hernandez (multi-position) won Fielding Bible Awards for the 2020 season, and Cody Bellinger earned two — center field and multiple positions — in 2019.
Mookie Betts up for multiple awards
With a Fielding Bible already added, Betts remains in the running for a Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger.
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