So about a week ago I learned that there was something that Major League Baseball does that is called the “Fielding Bible.” Now, I have been a baseball nerd since I was about eight years old and I have never heard of the “Fielding Bible” award. Apparently, this is it’s 13th year in counting. There are 12 “experts” that vote upon the players. I’m not going to explain anymore but if you’re interested, here’s the link– http://www.fieldingbible.com/

Anyways, back to the awards that everyone knows. In case you missed it, the 2018 Gold Glove awards have been announced including the exceptional Platinum Glove awarded to the leagues best overall fielder. For the National League, the awards were given to as follows:

P- Zack Greinke– 5 career. Dominating the fielding competition for is something Greinke is good at. This is his 5th consecutive award and leads all NL pitchers in Defensive runs saved with 32 since 2014.

C- Yadier Molina– 9th career. Molina took a two year absence from the award as Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart stole Molina’s heart last season and Buster Posey the year before.

1B- Anthony Rizzo/ Freddie Freeman– 4th ever tie for gold glove for a position. First gold glove of Freeman’s career and the second for Cubs’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

2B- D.J. Lemahieu– 3 career.  Rockies second baseman wins his second consecutive Gold Glove. 18 defensive runs saved this year was a career high and 2nd behind Kolton Wong of the Cards.

3B- Nolan Arenado– 6th career. Arenado has now won the award in all six of his big league seasons. His 6th consecutive has also resulted in him extending his own major league record of 6th consecutive for an infielder. Not to mention he has been in the thick of the MVP voting the past three seasons as well. Dude sucks.

SS- Nick Ahmed– 1st career. Not that much of a surprise when you look at the numbers. Ahmed tied Andrelton Simmons for defensive runs saved for shortstops with 21. Could be more to come if Simmons stays in the American League.

Left Field- Corey Dickerson– 1st career. A big middle finger to the Tampa Bay Rays. Dickerson was second to Adam Duvall in defensive runs saved. Why the Rays designated him for assignment, we may never know.

Center Field- Ender Inciarte– 3rd career. As well as his 3rd consecutive. It’s we;; deserving as he and Harrison Bader led baseball with 21 outs above average. Starting to look like Andruw Jones out there.

Right Field- Nick Markakis– 3rd career. Already with one of the best seasons of his career, that almost solidified it. ALong with making the All-Star team, Markakis proved there’s still something left in the tank.

American League Gold Glove winners are as follows:

P- Dallas Keuchel– 4th career. After taking a break last year from the award, Keuchal claimed his spot back on the throne for Gold Glove. Keuchel was tied for second among AL pitchers for three defensive runs saved in 2018.

C- Salvador Perez– 5th career. Also taking a break from the award last year, Perez decided it was a little too long of a break. Perez tied his career high of throwing out would be base stealers with a 48% clip on this year.

1B- Matt Olsen– 1st career. Led all major league first baseman with 14 defensive runs saved.

2B- Ian Kinsler– 3rd career. That makes two years in a row for Kinsler. Had a career high 18 defensive runs saved and was second in all of baseball to Kolton Wong with that number.

3B- Matt Chapman– 1st career. This will be the first of many. Highly touted for his defensive ability, Chapman also proved he can do a little something with wood in his hand ;). Jokes aside, he is probably likely to take him the Platinum Glove award given to the leagues best fielder. Chapman had a major league leading 29 defensive runs saved.

SS- Andrelton Simmons– 4th career. Simmons is already well known for his ability with the glove at SS and continued that trend that might actually stay with him for most of his career. The former Brave great led all SS with 21 defensive runs saved. Next closest? Francisco Lindor with 14.

Left Field- Alex Gordon– 6th career. Gordon led all major league left fielders with 18 defensive runs saved. Unfortunately, his bat is not up to par with his glove work.

Center Field- Jackie Bradley Jr– 1st career. Maybe a little late, but Bradley is finally on the board. I would expect more of these if he continues to start in center for the Sox. Bradley finished with 11 outs above average.

Right Field- Mookie Betts– 3rd career. Betts was tied for second among all major league outfielders with 20 defensive runs saved. Betts is also pretty good at hitting the baseball and is among the three finalists for AL MVP.

There you have it. The 2018 award winners. Although there were no Tampa Bay Rays on it, they probably deserved to have almost their whole team on there. Go Rays. Sting em. Rays up.

#bigdadisfree