Major League Baseball’s best team defense this year earned individual recognition for several players.
The Chicago Cubs have five finalists for the Gold Glove Award, announced Wednesday by Rawlings: center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, third baseman Alex Bregman, shortstop Dansby Swanson, left fielder Ian Happ and right fielder Seiya Suzuki.
Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth is also a finalist. The winners will be announced on November 1 (7:30 p.m., ESPN).
Crow-Armstrong, who is expected to be named National League MVP next month, is looking to win his second consecutive Gold Glove Award. He produced arguably the best defensive season by a center fielder in the Statcast era, leading all major league outfielders with 26 outs above average (OAA) and 26 field point value (FRV) while converting 50% of five-star catch opportunities.
Happ is in position for his fifth consecutive Gold Glove Award, something no Cub has done since Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg won nine in a row from 1983 to 1991. Happ’s nine assists are tied for the NL lead.
Suzuki’s defense has come a long way since his debut with the Cubs in 2022. At times a defensive liability in right field — even relegated to the designated hitter role last year with Kyle Tucker getting most of the starts in right — Suzuki has worked this year to be better.
This effort became evident as the season progressed. Suzuki recorded eight assists while posting a .992 defensive percentage, tied for the best in the NL at his position. His 8 FRV was tied with Victor Mesa Jr. of the Tampa Bay Rays for first among major league right fielders, and Suzuki’s 14 defensive runs saved (DRS) led the NL at his position.
A tough first two weeks defensively didn’t stop Bregman from once again being one of the best third basemen. Bregman, who won a Gold Glove Award in 2024 with the Houston Astros, logged the fourth-most innings at third this year and had the most assists by an NL third baseman. His 7 FRV was tied for second, and he led all big league third basemen with 15 DRS – one of only two at his position to record double-digit DRS.
Despite missing four weeks late in the season due to an oblique strain, Swanson could win his third Gold Glove Award and first since 2023. Among NL shortstops, he finished tied for second in OAA (16), third in FRV (12) and fourth in DRS (6).
Meidroth is up for his first Gold Glove Award. He played 150 games at second base and led American League second basemen in FRV (10). He also ranked third among AL second basemen in OAA (9) and fielding percentage (.986).
To determine the winners, each team’s manager and up to six coaches from each team vote from a pool of qualified players in their league, although they cannot vote for their team’s players. In 2013, Rawlings added the SABR Defensive Index (SDI) to the selection process. The overall total includes 75% of manager and coach votes and 25% of SDI ratings.
Tribune reporter LaMond Pope contributed.
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