Logan Webb didn’t enter this yr with the precise aim of profitable a Gold Glove Award. However when the Giants ace arrived in Scottsdale for spring coaching, he prioritized taking part in higher protection, usually, and holding runners on base, particularly.
Now, Webb and catcher Patrick Bailey are including some {hardware} to their cabinets.
Bailey and Webb have been named Nationwide League Gold Glove Award winners at their respective positions on Sunday night, changing into the primary battery to win the {hardware} in the identical yr since catcher Yadier Molina and pitcher Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013.
“I just wanted to get better at (playing defense),” Webb mentioned. “I didn’t necessarily think it would result in a Gold Glove, but I always thought maybe I could do it. I feel like I get enough ground balls hit to me and a lot of get overs. I just kind of had to fix some of the other stuff. So, it’s a really cool accomplishment and I’m super excited about it.”
Bailey, who received the award in 2024, turns into the primary catcher in franchise historical past to win the award a number of instances, and it’s very potential he turns into the primary Large to win the Platinum Glove as nicely. Buster Posey received it as soon as, in 2016, when he broke Molina’s string of eight consecutive gold gloves. Bailey is also first Large to win the honour in back-to-back years since Brandon Crawford received three straight from 2015-17.
Webb, who led the majors in innings and the N.L. in strikeouts, turns into the second Large pitcher to win the award in franchise historical past, becoming a member of Rick Reuschel (1987). With a Gold Glove now on his résumé, Webb joked that he plans on doing somewhat bragging with Bailey, Crawford and five-time Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman.
“To be able to say you’re … the best defender at your position in your league is pretty cool,” Webb mentioned. “I at all times watched Craw and Chappy and Patty’s going to win it many extra instances. Seeing these guys do it, it’s an enormous a part of baseball and it’s an enormous a part of what the Giants attempt to be. I believe that’s why we’ve had so many (Gold Glove Award winners) round right here. It’s cool to be part of that now.
“Now, when people watch the game, I get that little Gold Glove next to my name when they show the defensive positioning.”
Bailey cemented himself as among the finest defenders within the majors, no matter place, by delivering among the finest statistical defensive seasons within the Statcast period this yr.
Over a career-high 132 video games, Bailey had a Fielding Run Worth of +31, probably the most in a single season by any defender no matter place since 2018. Final season, Bailey’s +28 Fielding Run Worth additionally led the majors.
A lot of Bailey’s defensive worth derived from his elite framing capability. Even with a smaller strike zone, Bailey was value +25 Catcher Framing Runs, eclipsing the +23 Catcher Framing Runs he was value final season.
Together with the framing, Bailey continued to boast among the finest arms in baseball. Bailey threw out a career-high 27 runners making an attempt to steal, his pop time of 1.86 seconds being tied for the perfect within the majors.
Bailey’s elite framing and throwing was a continuation of what he’s achieved since making his debut, however he additionally made a big leap as a blocker.
As a rookie, Bailey was one of many worst blockers within the league and was value -9 Blocks Above Common. After making enhancing in his sophomore season (-1 Blocks Above Common), Bailey reworked himself into an above-average blocker (+5 Blocks Above Common) this season.
“I feel like he just keeps getting better,” Webb mentioned. “It’s fun to watch him do his work every day. He works hard at his craft.”
Whereas Bailey has lengthy been certainly one of baseball’s finest defenders, Webb made vital strides this season en path to profitable his first Gold Glove.
Webb allowed 41 stolen bases in 2023 and 2024, certainly one of eight pitchers within the majors who allowed a minimum of 40 steals. This season, in contrast, Webb solely allowed 9 steals and led all Nationwide League pitchers with seven defensive runs saved. From 2019-24, Webb was value -4 defensive runs saved.
The appropriate-hander referred to his begin on June 23, 2024 in opposition to the St. Louis Cardinals because the low level of his lack of ability to forestall runners from swiping baggage. Permitting 5 steals over six innings to the Cardinals was dangerous sufficient, however a kind of steals belonged to catcher Pedro Pagés, who solely swiped six baggage within the minors.
Webb needed to curb that pattern this season and commenced that work throughout spring coaching. He labored on this space of his recreation throughout bullpens and reside batting follow, mixing up instances and holding for so long as potential after coming set. Webb mentioned there wasn’t one particular dialog that made issues click on, citing conversations he had with former supervisor Bob Melvin and different coaches.
The appropriate-hander additionally spoke with former first-base coach Antoan Richardson when the Giants performed the New York Mets in Queens. Webb allowed three steals to the Mets throughout his begin on July 25, and Webb credited Richardson’s capability as a baserunning coach. Richardson, apparently sufficient, received’t return to New York in 2026 and will warrant consideration from new supervisor Tony Vitello as he builds his teaching workers.
“I just felt like there was an extra focus on it, and I just wanted to be better,” Webb mentioned. “At the end of the day, it helps personally. Talking to guys, there’s some stats that if I keep a runner at first base X amount of times and I give up a base hit, that base hit turns into just first and second instead of a guy scoring a run. I think it helped me and helped the team stay in games, and that’s all I really wanted to do.”
