MLB Gold Glove winners for this season include notable names like Chris Sale, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, and Bobby Witt Jr. San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman celebrated his fifth Gold Glove, solidifying his reputation as a premier defender. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. marked a significant milestone as one of 14 first-time winners of this prestigious fielding accolade.
Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez and left fielder Steven Kwan continued their defensive excellence, earning Gold Gloves for the third consecutive year. They were joined by Arizona first baseman Christian Walker and Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ, as announced by Rawlings on Sunday.
Brenton Doyle, the center fielder for the Rockies, also celebrated his second consecutive Gold Glove victory, showcasing his consistent defensive prowess.
Notably, six teams had two Gold Glove winners each. The Guardians were in good company alongside the Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners.
In the American League, first-time winners included Royals pitcher Seth Lugo, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Minnesota first baseman Carlos Santana, Houston third baseman Alex Bregman, Toronto center fielder Daulton Varsho, Boston right fielder Wilyer Abreu, and Mariners utilityman Dylan Moore.
The National League welcomed first-time winners such as Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale, Giants catcher Patrick Bailey, Milwaukee second baseman Brice Turang, right fielder Sal Frelick, Colorado shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, and Pittsburgh utilityman Jared Triolo.
Bregman earned a $50,000 bonus for his achievement, while Giménez, Lugo, Moore, and Witt also received $50,000 each. Santana received a $25,000 bonus for his efforts.
The trend of first-time winners continues, as there were also 14 new recipients in 2022, reflecting the evolving landscape of defensive talent in Major League Baseball.
Voting for the Gold Glove awards was conducted by managers and up to six coaches from each team, ensuring a fair selection process as they cannot vote for players on their own roster. Since 2013, the voting has incorporated a Society for American Baseball Research defensive index, which accounts for approximately 25% of the total score.
The utility category is determined using a SABR formula along with additional defensive statistics, highlighting the importance of versatility in modern baseball.
