Royals get 4 finalists for Gold Glove Awards following 2024 season
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Royals were one of the best defensive teams in Major League Baseball during the 2024 regular season. As a result, Kansas City has finalists for several Gold Glove Awards for this season, Rawlings announced Tuesday.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and catcher Freddy Fermin were each nominees at their position, while pitchers Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans represented two of the three pitching nominees in the American League, along with Los Angeles Angels pitcher Griffin Canning.
Witt Jr. had one of the best seasons in Royals history as a hitter, but was also an overwhelmingly productive defender at a premium position. Royals public relations rep Ian Kraft pointed out Witt Jr.’s career-high Fielding Run Value of 12 and Outs Above Average (16) were both best by all American League shortstops.
The 24-year-old shortstop’s 17.6 Fangraphs Defensive Runs Above Average was also a full point higher than the next AL shortstop (New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe). Witt Jr. is a finalist along with Volpe and Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio.
Freddy Fermin was one of the best defensive catchers in baseball during the 2024 season. When he was behind the plate in lieu of Salvador Perez -- Fermin played in 91 games as a catcher -- Fermin caught 40 percent of attempted base stealers, a mark that was the best in MLB and more than 10 percent higher than the next closest AL catcher. Fermin is a finalist along with Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers.
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Along with their great pitching, Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans each held perfect fielding percentages while starting more than 30 starts. Lugo, who pitched a career-high 206.2 innings, had the most innings pitched of any AL pitcher with a perfect fielding percentage.
All four Royals nominees were first-time finalists for a Gold Glove Award. Kansas City’s four total finalists is the most of any team in MLB.
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