Gold Glove candidates for 2015 in the AL--several Jays in the mix

[jaysfan2014]

Since we're getting close to season's end, I thought I'd evaluate who I think are the Gold Gloves candidates are for the 2015 season in the AL:

(stats provided by FanGraphs, qualified batters only)

Pitcher:

Dallas Keuchel (HOU) (13 dRS)

Wade Miley (BOS) (5 dRS)

Mark Buehrle (TOR) (4dRS)

 

Gotta give it to Keuchel there.. though Buehrle has a good shot as well because of his history, and his previous Gold Gloves.

 

Catcher:

Sal Perez (KC) 6 DRS, 11.0 Def

Russel Martin (TOR) 11.7 Def, -3 DRS (mostly due to catching Dickey)

Brian McCann (NYY) 10.9 Def, 1 DRS

James McCann (DET) 7.1 Def, 3 DRS

 

Three way race between Martin, McCann and Sal Perez. Martin would be a leading candidate if he weren't catching Dickey.

 

First Base:

Mitch Moreland (TEX) 8.5 UZR

Mike Napoli (TEX/BOS) 5.9 UZR

Albert Pujols (LAA) 5.0 UZR

 

Second Base:

Omar Infante (KC)

Carlos Sanchez (CHW)

Ian Kinsler (DET)

Jose Altuve (HOU)

Jason Kipnis (CLE)

 

Tighter race here.. but because Infante isn't really an everyday player anymore. Kinsler/Altuve/Kipnis should be the favorites. Surprised Carlos Sanchez is here.. if only he could hit.

 

Third Base:

Adrian Beltre (TEX)

Manny Machado (BAL)

Josh Donaldson (TOR)

Evan Longoria (TB)

 

Machado or Donaldson have the best shot.. Beltre missed time earlier this season due to injury.

 

Shortstop:

Alcides Escobar (KC)

Didi Gregorius (NYY)

Xander Bogaerts (BOS)

JJ Hardy (BAL)

 

Looks like another gold glove for Escobar... JJ Hardy would be in the mix if he stayed healthy.

 

Outfield

Kevin Kiermaier (TB)

Jake Marisnick (HOU)

Yoenis Cespedes (not in AL mix due to trade)

Kevin Pillar (TOR)

Adam Jones (BAL)

Kole Calhoun (LAA)

Lorenzo Cain (KC)

 

Kiermaier, Pillar and Jones should be the front runners.. Cespedes is not eligible due to trade to the NL. Cain would be a favorite if he didn't have so many errors in CF (9).. any reason why so many? As for Marisinick, it's a similar situation to JBJ last year.. doesn't play regularly.

 

Not sure if Mike Trout should be in the mix.. but I just don't see him as a gold glover.

 

If you have any suggestions for gold glove candidates, let me know. I was just going by FanGraphs numbers, including UZR, DEF, DRS, etc.

[BigCecil]

thanks....always fun to win....but the GG for me has been a total sham full of politics for the most part, with too much consideration for offensive numbers indirectly.

 

KK so much > than Pillar although he has been very good. Glad we didn't rely on Gose for CF coming into this year. His WAR 2015 .3 and Pillar 2.5.

[G-Snarls]

Do the writers who vote for this ever look at stats like DRS or UZR? Or do they just go with the eyeball test?

[reedjohnsonfan]

Iglesias for SS?

[HERPDERP]

Kiermaier is a lock for CF.

[jaysfan2014]

Kiermaier is a lock for CF.

 

Definitely. If they give it to Jones instead, the voters are out of their mind.

[G-Snarls]

Kiermaier is a lock for CF.

 

He is so good

[BigCecil]

Kiermaier is a lock for CF.

 

Two thirds of the earth is covered by water and the other third is covered by Kiermaier.

 

He is in another world on D. Lock.

[jaysfan2014]

If you're wondering why Goins isn't in the mix, it's due to not having enough ABs to qualify. Otherwise, he'd be a slam dunk at 2B for a gold glove. But he could be considered too.

[G-Snarls]

thanks....always fun to win....but the GG for me has been a total sham full of politics for the most part, with too much consideration for offensive numbers indirectly.

 

KK so much > than Pillar although he has been very good. Glad we didn't rely on Gose for CF coming into this year. His WAR 2015 .3 and Pillar 2.5.

 

Agree on part 1 - that's always been my beef with it

 

As for Gose, has anyone watched him much this year? How is he putting up negative defensive value???

[jaysfan2014]

Two thirds of the earth is covered by water and the other third is covered by Kiermaier.

 

He is in another world on D. Lock.

 

4.4 dWAR should almost certainly get him a Gold Glove.. let's hope these aren't the same voters who gave Jeter all the gold gloves he didn't deserve, and instead give them to Mike Trout or Adam Jones.

[G-Snarls]

4.4 dWAR should almost certainly get him a Gold Glove.. let's hope these aren't the same voters who gave Jeter all the gold gloves he didn't deserve, and instead give them to Mike Trout or Adam Jones.

 

That's EXACTLY the worry

[jaysfan2014]

Agree on part 1 - that's always been my beef with it

 

As for Gose, has anyone watched him much this year? How is he putting up negative defensive value???

 

Terrible routes in CF I bet.. plays that Pillar makes easily.

[G-Snarls]

At least Kiermeyer has put up league average offensive stats so that fewer idiot voters will hold that against him

[jaysfan2014]

That's EXACTLY the worry

 

Yeah. Mike Trout doesn't deserve to win a gold glove. Despite being an MVP candidate, it's more due to the bat. Except for his 1st full season, he has never been a good CF defensively, though he has improved this season.

[G-Snarls]

Terrible routes in CF I bet.. plays that Pillar makes easily.

 

Gose also has 4 errors this year, including 2 throwing. I can see that.

[jaysfan2014]

As for Lorenzo Cain.. how could a OF have 9 errors(8 fielding)? That hurts him a bit in the gold glove race..

[jaysfan2014]

BTW, Jose Bautista ranks as one of the worst qualified defensive players, due to injuries.

 

Iron Glove candidates:

Hanley Ramirez (BOS, LF/1B)

Jose Bautista (TOR) (RF)--injury related

Pablo Sandoval (3B, BOS)

Avisail Garcia (CHW, RF)

Logan Morrison (SEA, 1B)

Melky Cabrera (CHW, LF)

Eric Hosmer (KC, 1B)

Carlos Beltran (NYY, RF)

[Brownie19]

BTW, Jose Bautista ranks as one of the worst qualified defensive players, due to injuries.

 

Iron Glove candidates:

Hanley Ramirez (BOS, LF/1B)

Jose Bautista (TOR) (RF)--injury related

Pablo Sandoval (3B, BOS)

Avisail Garcia (CHW, RF)

Logan Morrison (SEA, 1B)

Melky Cabrera (CHW, LF)

Eric Hosmer (KC, 1B)

Carlos Beltran (NYY, RF)

 

Why is Jose's injury related? I haven't noticed teams taking extra bases due to his arm woes...

 

Jose just sucks in the OF now....sucks.

[polar bear]

If you're wondering why Goins isn't in the mix, it's due to not having enough ABs to qualify. Otherwise, he'd be a slam dunk at 2B for a gold glove. But he could be considered too.

 

I was wondering why his name wasn't included,I was figuring him to be a slam dunk also.

[Yessir]

Goins doesn't have enough games played, that's a huge factor.

[Brownie19]

Goins doesn't have enough games played, that's a huge factor.

 

Actually, you could argue Goins 12 dRS (combined between 2nd & SS) in only 834 combined innings is significantly better than Kinsler's 14 dRS in 1193 innings (prorated, Goins would have 17 in 1193 innings).

 

But lets all be honest - neither games played or dRS are huge factors when it comes to the GG awards. God only knows what the buffoon writers based their votes on...it's all a joke.

[Yessir]

You can't pro-rate the defense, lol...

[Sorrow]

Gold Gloves changed a few years ago in the OF to now be LF, CF and RF. As long as Kiermaier is an everyday player in the MLB no other AL CF should win the CF gold glove no matter how good they are.

[jaysfan2014]

Gold Gloves changed a few years ago in the OF to now be LF, CF and RF. As long as Kiermaier is an everyday player in the MLB no other AL CF should win the CF gold glove no matter how good they are.

 

So, here's the predictions for LF, CF and RF as it stands:

 

LF:

Eddie Rosario (MIN)

Yoenis Cespedes (disqualified due to trade)

Alex Gordon (KC)

Sam Fuld (OAK)

 

Considering the lack of qualifiers in LF, it's difficult to evaluate. Rosario and Gordon are the leading candidates.

 

CF:

Kevin Kiermaier (TB)

Kevin Pillar (TOR)

Lorenzo Cain (KC)

Adam Jones (BAL)

Leonys Martin (TEX)

 

And still no Mike Trout.

 

RF--As with LF, difficult to evaluate due to lack of innings:

 

Lonnie Chisenhall (CLE)

Jackie Bradley Jr. (BOS)

Rusney Castillo (BOS)

Kole Calhoun (LA)

Seth Smith (SEA)-- really?

[L54]

lol wut? Lonnie Chisenhall has a DRS of 11.

[rydermike]

How much has Machado been playing SS for the O's? Could that basically remove him from consideration for 3B if he's played a good chunk at SS, thereby reducing the number he's played at third??

[dineke]

Pillar knocked out an AS SS, so he should automatically be downgraded to being the WORST defensive CF.

[jaysfan2014]

lol wut? Lonnie Chisenhall has a DRS of 11.

 

I don't get it either. He started the season at 3B, then was sent down to learn OF.. and now he's a potential gold-glover.

[thatoneguy]

Kiermaier is probably a lock for the platinum glove as well. Can't think of anyone in the AL as good defensively as he is at any position.

 

Would be great if JD won for 3B although Machado is going to be tough to beat, especially with his apparently robotic arm strength.