All four A’s infielders are Gold Glove award finalists
More proof of the Oakland A’s remarkable transformation from baseball’s worst defensive team to one of its elite came Thursday when all four Oakland infielders were named American League Gold Glove award finalists.
Joining no-brainer finalists Matt Chapman at third base and Matt Olson at first base are second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien.
Only two A’s players in the last 28 years have been recognized as Gold Glove winners, but there’s every reason to believe at least Chapman, and probably Olson, will be honored when the winners are announced on Sunday, Nov. 4.
The A’s haven’t had a Gold Glove winner since right fielder Josh Reddick took home the hardware in 2012.
Statistically and visually the worst defensive team in baseball in 2017, The A’s defense changed dramatically this season. With Chapman and Olson leading the way at the corners, the improved defense played a large role in the A’s capturing a wild card berth after finishing in the AL West basement the previous three seasons.
The 25-year-old Chapman topped all players in baseball in defensive runs saved (29) and his SABR fielding index of 19.5 was far and away the best in the majors. SABR’s rating accounts for 25 percent of the overall selection total. Votes from managers and coaches makes up the other 75 percent.
Chapman, who is joined by the Astros’ Alex Bregman and the Indians’ Jose Ramirez as third base finalists, was a human highlight film this season with his myriad of sensational plays. It will be an upset if Chapman doesn’t join Eric Chavez (2001-06) as the only Oakland third baseman to win a Gold Glove. He’s also considered the frontrunner for the Platinum
Glove, awarded to the best overall defensive player.
No A’s player epitomized their defensive improvement quite like Semien, whose 11.6 SABR rating was second to Chapman’s 19.5. Semien, however, is up against three-time winner Andrelton Simmons of the Angels and 2016 Platinum Glove winner Francisco Lindor of the Indians.
Olson topped AL first basemen in SABR rating (5.8), defensive runs saved (14), Ultimate Zone Rating (11.6) and zone rating (.913). Olson is a finalist along with Mitch Moreland of the Red Sox and Justin Smoak of the Blue Jays.
Lowrie not only had a stellar offensive season with career-highs in home runs (23), RBIs (99), he also was a first-time Gold Glove finalist. He led AL second basemen in fielding percentage (.993) and zone rating (.845) and was tied in assists (336). The 34-year-old joins Ian Kinsler of the Red Sox and Roughned Odor of the Rangers are finalists at second base.
Giants’ Crawford, Posey named finalists
Another golden opportunity awaits San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford and catcher Buster Posey in 10 days.
Both Giants were among the finalists named Thursday for National League Gold Glove awards. We’ll find out on Sunday, Nov. 4 whether Crawford walks away with his fourth consecutive Rawlings award and if Posey can nab his second Gold Glove. However, both Giants may have a tougher time winning this time around.
Crawford, whose defensive numbers aren’t impressive as in year’s past, partly because of a nagging knee injury, is just fourth in the NL in SABR’s defensive index rankings among shortstops. His 4.9 ranking is dwarfed by fellow finalist Nick Ahmed of Arizona, who had an 11.7. San Diego’s Freddy Galvis is the third shortstop finalist.
SABR rankings comprise 25 percent of the vote, while the remaining 75 percent comes from ballots submitted by managers and coaches. Thus, there’s plenty of room for Crawford’s reputation to supersede some defensive metrics.