Rawlings Reveals the Finalists for the 2022 Gold Glove Awards
Rawlings has finally announced which players are in the running to win a Gold Glove for the 2022 MLB season. Being a Gold Glove winner is a prestigious award for one to carry on throughout his career. Each position has three finalists for both the American and National Leagues. Rawlings did add a special twist this year. This year, Rawlings added a utility position for players to fall under if they play multiple positions throughout the season. So which were considered the top defensive players at their position this past season?
AMERICAN LEAGUE FINALISTS
Pitcher
Jose Berrios (TOR), Shane Bieber (CLE), Jameson Taillon (NYY)
Whoever wins out of Jose Berrios, Shane Bieber, and Jameson Taillon will be a first-time award winner. Last year, Dallas Keuchel won his 5th Gold Glove award out of the past eight years in the American League.
Catcher
Sean Murphy (OAK), Cal Raleigh (SEA), Jose Trevino (NYY)
Sean Murphy is going for back-to-back Gold Gloves this year while Jose Trevino and Cal Raleigh have never won this award before. Before Murphy, the American League saw Roberto Pérez win two Gold Gloves in a row with Cleveland.
First Base
Luis Arraez (MIN), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR), Anthony Rizzo (NYY)
Anthony Rizzo is a familiar name regarding the Gold Glove trophy. During his career with Chicago, Rizzo has won four Gold Gloves and also a Platinum Glove. Last year, Houston’s Yuli Gourriel captured the trophy in the American League. Both Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. and Luis Arráez transitioned to first base in recent years.
Second Base
Andres Gimenez (CLE), Jonathan Schoop (DET), Marcus Semien (TEX)
Last year’s winner in Toronto, Marcus Semien could win his second straight award with his new team in Texas. The Rangers’ second baseman could become the first player since Dustin Pedroia to win two Gold Gloves in a row, which Pedroia did in 2013-14. Neither Jonathan Schoop nor Andrés Giménez has won this award before.
Shortstop
Xander Bogaerts (BOS), Carlos Correa (MIN), Jeremy Peña (HOU)
Carlos Correa, the Minnesota Twins shortstop, who is a free agent to be, is trying to win consecutive Gold Gloves. However, it is interesting to see Correa’s replacement in Houston, rookie Jeremy Peña, battling it out against Correa along with Xander Bogaerts to stop Correa from winning back-to-back awards.
Third Base
Matt Chapman (TOR), José Ramírez (CLE), Ramón Urías (BAL)
José Ramírez and Ramón Urías are both looking to win their first Gold Glove, while Matt Chapman is looking to add to his collection. The Toronto third baseman has already won three previous Gold Gloves in the past four seasons.
Left Field
Andrew Benintendi (KC/NYY), Steven Kwan (CLE), Brandon Marsh (LAA/PHI)
Andrew Benintendi is looking to win consecutive Gold Gloves this year, as he was traded at the trade deadline to the Yankees from Kansas City. Brandon Marsh, was also a player on the move during the deadline, as he moved to the National League and joined the Phillies. Steven Kwan had a stellar rookie season for Cleveland this year.
Center Field
Cedric Mullins (BAL), Myles Straw (CLE), Michael A. Taylor (KC)
The Kansas City Royals outfielder Michael A. Taylor is another player trying to win consecutive Gold Gloves. While Taylor is trying to win another, both Cedric Mullins and Myles Straw have never won one before.
Right Field
Jackie Bradley, Jr. (BOS/TOR), Max Kepler (MIN), Kyle Tucker (HOU)
Jackie Bradley, Jr. has already won one Gold Glove in his career under the center field category back in 2018. Minnesota’s Max Kepler and Houston’s Kyle Tucker both have not won this award yet in their careers.
Utility
DJ LeMahieu (NYY), Whit Merrifield (KC/TOR), Luis Rengifo (LAA)
DJ LeMahieu has won a Gold Glove three times in his career while playing second base. This season LeMahieu saw time at first, second, and third. Whit Merrifield jumped between second base and the outfield this past season. The Angels used Luis Rengifo mostly at second, with also playing short and third for LA.
NATIONAL LEAGUE FINALISTS
Pitcher
Tyler Anderson (LAD), Corbin Burnes (MIL), Max Fried (ATL)
The Braves southpaw in Max Fried has won this award in two consecutive seasons. Corbin Burnes, who is the reigning NL Cy Young winner, and the Dodger’s Tyler Anderson have never won a Gold Glove yet in their careers.
Catcher
Travis d’Arnaud (ATL), Tomás Nido (NYM), J.T. Realmuto (PHI)
The great run of St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is finally over as he finishes his career with nine Gold Gloves. The NL East will be battling over this year’s catcher Gold Glove award. Tomás Nido and Travis d’Arnaud haven’t won this award yet. J.T. Realmuto is the only previous winner of the Gold Glove, which he won back in 2019.
First Base
Paul Goldschmidt (STL), Matt Olson (ATL), Christian Walker (ARI)
Paul Goldschmidt, who is one of the favorites to win the NL MVP is going for his 5th Gold Glove in his career. However, Goldschmidt has some competition with Matt Olson being a two-time winner during his time in Oakland and Christian Walker having one of the better seasons defensively at first base.
Second Base
Jake Cronenworth (SD), Tommy Edman (STL), Brendan Rodgers (COL)
Even though Tommy Edman is listed as a finalist as a second baseman, he is also in the running for the utility position in the NL. Edman won the award last year as a second baseman, but it could potentially be a battle between Brendan Rodgers and Jake Cronenworth.
Shortstop
Kim Ha-seong (SD), Miguel Rojas (MIA), Dansby Swanson (ATL)
Whoever ends up winning the Gold Glove between Dansby Swanson, Miguel Rojas, and Kim Ha-seong, will be that player’s first award in their career. Last season, San Francisco’s Brandon Crawford captured his third Gold Glove award in his career.
Third Base
Nolan Arenado (STL), Ke’Bryan Hayes (PIT), Ryan McMahon (COL)
During his time in Colorado and St. Louis, Nolan Arenado has been one of the best defensive players ever. Arenado has won nine straight Gold Gloves and will be trying to put his collection of trophies in double digits. Ke’Bryan Hayes and Ryan McMahon had stellar seasons to push Manny Machado off the list this past season.
Left Field
Ian Happ (CHC), David Peralta (ARI/TB), Christian Yelich (MIL)
Ian Happ is the only one out of this trio who hasn’t won a Gold Glove yet in their career. Both Christian Yelich, who won one in 2014 with Miami, and David Peralta, who won one with Arizona in 2019, are looking to add another Gold Glove to their trophy case.
Center Field
Trent Grisham (SD), Víctor Robles (WSH), Alek Thomas (ARI)
Trent Grisham is the only one from this group who has previously won a Gold Glove when he did so in 2019. The young Víctor Robles and Alek Thomas have never won the award. With Thomas being selected, Arizona has all three of their outfielders in the running to win a Gold Glove this year.
Right Field
Mookie Betts (LAD), Juan Soto (WSH/SD), Daulton Varsho (ARI)
Before his streak came to an end last season, Mookie Betts won five straight Gold Gloves during his time in Boston and Los Angeles. The young superstar in Juan Soto has been one of the deadliest hitters in the game but hasn’t won a Gold Glove in his young career. Even with Daulton Varsho being a finalist for right field, he is also one of the three finalists as a utility player in the National League.
Utility
Brendan Donovan (STL), Tommy Edman (STL), Daulton Varsho (ARI)
Despite being nominated for other positions to win a Gold Glove, Edman and Varsho made the cut as a utility player. St. Louis Cardinals rookie utility player, Brendan Donovan, has played multiple positions for St. Louis this year. Donovan mostly saw time at second base, but also saw action at third base and both corner outfield spots this past season.
The winners of these awards will be announced on November 1st on ESPN before Game 4 of the World Series. The Diamondbacks, Yankees, and Guardians are tied for the most finalists, with five positions per team. Winning a Gold Glove is one of the biggest individual accomplishments a player can win during his career. It’ll be interesting to see which players are awarded the Gold Glove.
