Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards Tonight
MLBN to broadcast Wilson Defensive Player of the Year show.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Rawlings had the Gold Gloves announced on ESPN. Well, the MLB Network will announce the winners for the Wilson Defensive Play of the Year this evening at 6 PM ET. The show will be hosted by Brian Kenny with appearances from Jerry Manuel, Dan Plesac and Harold Reynolds.
The awards will name one player on each team as the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year. Also to be named are the best defensive player and best defensive team for both the National and American League.
The awards were established only last year, but there is a difference in how the Wilson Award winners are determined as compared to the Rawlings Gold Glove winners.
The Wilsons – can we call them the Wilsons? – utilize a formula constructed to balance scouting info, sabermeteric analysis and those basic fielding stats.
The inaugural winners as the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for the AL was Mike Trout. Michael Bourn received the award for the NL. Worth noting is that neither Trout nor Bourn won a 2012 Gold Glove. Call it an injustice corrected if you wish.
Here’s the list of last year’s team winners:
AL East
Orioles: J.J. Hardy, SS
Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Yankees: Robinson Cano, 2B
Rays: Jose Molina, C
Blue Jays: Brett Lawrie, 3B
AL Central
White Sox: Alexei Ramirez, SS
Indians: Jason Kipnis, 2B
Tigers: Austin Jackson, CF
Royals: Lorenzo Cain, CF
Twins: Denard Span, CF
AL West
Angels: Mike Trout, CF
A’s: Josh Reddick, RF
Mariners: Brendan Ryan, SS
Rangers: Adrian Beltre, 3B
NL East
Braves: Michael Bourn, CF
Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton, RF
Mets: David Wright, 3B
Phillies: Carlos Ruiz, C
Nationals: Adam LaRoche, 1B
NL Central
Cubs: Darwin Barney, 2B
Reds: Brandon Phillips, 2B
Astros: Justin Maxwell, CF
Brewers: Carlos Gomez, CF
Pirates: Andrew McCutchen, CF
Cardinals: Yadier Molina, C
NL West
D-backs: Aaron Hill, 2B
Rockies: Carlos Gonzalez, LF
Dodgers: Matt Kemp, CF
Padres: Chase Headley, 3B
Giants: Brandon Crawford, SS
Can players use these as leverage in contract negotiations?