Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts was voted the winner of the 2023 multi-position Fielding Bible Award. Betts has now won six Fielding Bible Awards in his career, with the previous five coming in right field (2016-2020, 2022).
Fielding Bible winners were determined by a 16-person voting panel. The group selects 11 winners, with one at each position, plus for the best multi-position player and a Defensive Player of the Year. Fielding Bible’s Defensive Player of the Year was a new addition for the 2023 season.
The voting panel consisted of Sports Info Solutions (SIS) co-founder John Dewan, Bill James, Daniel Álvarez-Montes (El Extra Base), Chris Dial (sabermetrician), Alyson Footer (MLB.com), Peter Gammons (The Athletic), Tyler Kepner (The Athletic), Bill Ladson (MLB.com), Eduardo Pérez (ESPN), Hal Richman (Strat-O-Matic), Travis Sawchik (The Score), Bobby Scales (SIS), Joe Sheehan, Mark Simon (SIS), Dani Wexelman (MLB Network Radio), and an aggregate vote from the SIS Video Scout staff.
A first-place vote garnered 10 points, second-place received nine points, third-place got eight points, and so forth.
Betts, a 2023 Gold Glove Award finalist in right field and utility, received 15 of 16 first-place votes from the Fielding Bible panel.
Betts finished with nine defensive runs saved in calculations by both Sports Info Solutions and FanGraphs (six at second base, three in right field). He had a 1.000 fielding percentage in right field and recorded eight assists.
The 31-year-old sported a .991 fielding percentage at second base to go along with 33 doubles plays, and posted a .935 fielding percentage at shortstop.
Betts played 107 games in right field, 70 at second base and 16 as shortstop. Betts was the only player this season to have positive defensive runs saved at both an infield position and in the outfield, while playing at least 400 innings at each.
Mookie Betts ties Fielding Bible Awards record
Betts is tied with Yadier Molina and Andrelton Simmons for most all-time Fielding Bible Awards with six each.
Fielding Bible Awards have been handed out each year since 2006.
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