Colorado Rockies franchise cornerstone Nolan Arenado and Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman each won a Rawlings Platinum Glove Award as the top defender in their respective league. Established in 2011, a fan vote results in one player from the National League and American League receiving a Platinum Glove.
The winners are determined by combining votes based on an adjusted SABR Defensive Index for each of the nine Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners in each League and votes from fans. Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star and MVP candidate Cody Bellinger, who won a first career Gold Glove Award in right field, was therefore among the finalists for the top defensive honor.
“Now in its ninth year, the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award continues to prove that baseball fans know, value and celebrate defensive greatness,” Rawlings chief marketing officer Mike Thompson said.
“This year’s fan vote greatly exceeded our expectations, with passionate fans from countries across the globe letting us know who they believe to be the best defenders in baseball.”
SABR CEO Scott Bush added: “This year, the SABR Defensive Index and fan votes were closely aligned. We are seeing fans continue to gain an appreciation for defensive metrics and they are using this information when voting.”
Arenado took home the honor for a third consecutive year, while it was a second in a row Chapman has won. Ironically, the two are former high school teammates.
Arenado additionally is a seven-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner and is the only Rockies player to win a Platinum Glove Award. He is the first infielder to start his career with seven consecutive Gold Gloves.
In his third MLB season, Chapman joined Adrian Beltre as the only two players in the AL to win multiple Platinum Gloves. Chapman far and away paced AL third basemen this season with a 17.1 Defense and 14.8 Universal Zone Rating.
Based on the final SABR Defensive Index, Chapman was second in the AL with a 16.7 SDI, and Arenado finished with a 13.1 SDI, which was third overall in the NL.
Although Bellinger did not win a Platinum Glove, he showed remarkable talent and instincts at first base and in center field and right field, and took home two Fielding Bible Awards.
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