Call to the pen
Fansided

2020 Gold Glove winners: Snubs and surprises abound

By Ryota Nishino

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 13: Byron Buxto of the Minnesota Twins attempts to make a diving catch against the Cleveland Indians. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 13: Byron Buxto of the Minnesota Twins attempts to make a diving catch against the Cleveland Indians. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
(Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Evan White, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Joey Gallo came out of nowhere to win the Gold Glove. They have the stats to prove their first-ever Gold Glove Awards.

Evan White is a highly touted young prospect for the Seattle Mariners who just finished his first full season for the Mariners as a rookie. White was known for his defense and was a big reason why the Mariners signed him to an extension without making a major league appearance prior to the 2020 season.

White had some tough competition at first base. Yuli Gurriel and Matt Olson were finalists for the Gold Glove Award and Olson is a two-time Gold Glove winner already. As a Mariners fan, I had a feeling that White had a great chance at the Gold Glove after watching him play during the regular season. But for many fans around the league, it might be the first time you have heard of him. Here are some stats to compare:

  • Defensive runs saved above average
    • White 7
    • Gurriel 2
    • Olson 5
  • Total zone fielding runs above average
    • White 5
    • Gurriel 6
    • Olson -2
  • Fielding percentage
    • White 0.998%
    • Gurriel 0.998%
    • Olson 0.998%
  • Infield range runs above average
    • White 4
    • Gurriel 1
    • Olson 2
  • Plus/minus fielding runs above average
    • White 5 
    • Gurriel 2
    • Olson 3

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Joey Gallo of the Rangers take home the 3rd base and RF Gold Glove

Who knew Joey Gallo was good at defense? The slugger proved people wrong and came out playing like a stud in right field. His numbers were out of the world and did not give his competition: Clint Frazier and Anthony Santander a chance at winning a Gold Glove.

  • Defensive runs saved above average
    • Gallo 12
    • Frazier 4
    • Santander 8
  • Plus/minus fielding runs above average
    • Gallo 8
    • Frazier 3
    • Santander 4
  • Total zone fielding runs above average
    • Gallo 12
    • Frazier 6
    • Santander 5
  • Assists
    • Gallo 3
    • Frazier 1
    • Santander 4

Just look at the difference in numbers for these stats. Yes, I am knit-picking a little but this says a lot already. Santander and Frazier played well, but Gallo gave them absolutely no chance.

Kiner-Falefa also shined at third base for the Rangers. The young utility player out of Hawaii has played third, second, shortstop, and even catcher the past three seasons. In 2020, he was tasked to be the everyday third baseman and he did his part. He, like Gallo and White, might be surprise names for the general MLB fan base unless you were a Mariners and Rangers fan.

  • Defensive runs saved above average
    • Kiner-Falefa 8
    • Moncada -1
    • Urshela 7
  • Plus/minus fielding runs above average
    • Kiner-Falefa 8
    • Moncada 0
    • Urshela 5
  • Infield range runs above average
    • Kiner-Falefa 5
    • Moncada 0
    • Urshela 5
  • Infield throwing runs above average
    • Kiner-Falefa 3
    • Moncada 0
    • Urshela -1
  • Fielding percentage
    • Kiner-Falefa 0.957%
    • Moncada 0.964%
    • Urshela 0.992%

Urshela of the Yankees gave Kiner-Falefa a run for his money, but as such an underrated name, the Rangers third baseman produced. Gallo, White, and Kiner-Falefa are all young, and will be exciting to see them grow their game on both sides of the game. I expect all three of them to be household names in the Gold Glove Award conversation.

Home/MLB Awards