La Vida Baseball

Javier Báez leads Gold Glove finalists

By Tab Bamford

On Thursday afternoon the finalists for the 2018 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were announced.

You can read the complete list of finalists here.

National League

Javier Báez posted a 1.7 dWAR for the Chicago Cubs this year playing a variety of positions. He is a finalist at second base in the National League. The 25-year-old National League MVP candidate appeared in his first All-Star Game and competed in the Home Run Derby this summer.

Yadier Molina, who won the Roberto Clemente Award on Wednesday, is looking to win his ninth Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Manny Piña, 31, joins Royals’ backstop Salvador Pérez in representing Venezuela on the team among this year’s finalists.

Anthony Rendon of the Washington Nationals is a finalist at third base in the National League. He joins Colorado’s Nolan Arenado, who has won the last five Rawlings Gold Glove Awards at third base in the NL.

Atlanta Braves starter Julio Teheran is a finalist for the National League pitcher award. Atlanta is also represented by Ender Inciarte, who is a finalist in centerfield in the NL. Inciarte is looking to win his third Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Arizona rightfielder Jon Jay will look to win for the first time. And Freddy Galvis excelled enough in his first season in San Diego to be a finalist at shortstop in the National League.

American League

Salvador Pérez has already won four Rawlings Gold Glove Awards for the Kansas City Royals. Martín Maldonado won his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award with the Angels last year. He was traded to Houston late in the 2017 season. And Indians’ catcher Yan Gomes could become the first player from Brazil to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award this year.

Cleveland is also represented by José Ramírez, a finalist at third base, and shortstop Francisco Lindor. Ramírez, an MVP candidate appeared in his second All-Star Game this summer. Lindor, the 24-year-old Puerto Rican, will look to win for a second time.

Andrelton Simmons will look to win his fourth Rawlings Gold Glove Award at shortstop. And Rougned Odor, 24, posted a 1.5 dWAR with the Texas Rangers this season.

Featured Image: David Durochik / Major League Baseball