Since turning into the Giants’ president of baseball operations, Buster Posey has consistently harassed his want to construct a basically sound workforce — a workforce that performs “strong defense.” Zack Minasian, the workforce’s new basic supervisor, sang an identical tune throughout his introductory press convention.
As Posey and Minasian start constructing subsequent yr’s workforce, they gained’t should look far for 2 of baseball’s finest defenders.
Third baseman Matt Chapman and catcher Patrick Bailey had been each named Gold Glove Award winners on Sunday, the primary time the Giants have had a number of recipients in a single season since Posey, second baseman Joe Panik and shortstop Brandon Crawford all captured the {hardware} in 2016. They’re the primary Giants to obtain the award since Crawford in 2021.
“It means a lot,” Chapman stated. “(Nolan Arenado) dominated the National League for a long time. Ke’Bryan Hayes won it last year. A lot of really good defensive third basemen are stacked in the National League. I was able to come over here and win it. I thought that was pretty cool to be able to get one in the American League and the National League.”
Added Bailey: “It’s something I take a lot of pride in. I was obviously a little frustrated not getting it last year, but I got to work and wanted to improve in all aspects and was just really excited to be able to win it this year.”
Mike Yastrzemski was a finalist for the Gold Glove in proper area, however the award went to the Brewers’ Sal Frelick. Fremont’s Steven Kwan gained his third Gold Glove Award, having taken residence the {hardware} in every of his first three major-league seasons.
For Chapman, who signed a six-year, $151 million extension with San Francisco in September, this marks the fifth Gold Glove of his profession, three of which he gained with the A’s. The 31-year-old’s defensive résumé additionally options two Platinum Glove Awards, three Fielding Bible Awards and 109 defensive runs saved, essentially the most by any place participant since he made his debut.
For Bailey, arguably one of the best defensive catcher in baseball, that is the primary time in his younger profession that he has gained the gold. The 25-year-old turns into the fourth catcher in Giants historical past to win the award, becoming a member of Posey (2015), Mike Matheney (2004) and Kirt Manwaring (1993).
Given the publicly obtainable defensive metrics, Chapman and Bailey had been each the strongest candidates to win at their respective positions.
Chapman led all third basemen in defensive runs saved (17) and was tied with the Brewers’ Joey Ortiz for essentially the most outs above common (11). Bailey, a finalist final yr, caught 19 runners making an attempt to steal second base (most within the NL) in 64 makes an attempt.
He led all defenders in fielding run worth (22), in addition to all catchers in defensive runs saved (20) and catcher framing runs (16). His pop time of 1.85 seconds was tied with the Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto and the White Sox’s Korey Lee for one of the best in baseball, and he completed second in caught stealing above common (9).
When Bailey and Chapman had been requested if there was a notable play that the opposite executed, Bailey shortly pointed to Chapman’s game-saving defensive gem towards the Mets in Queens. Chapman couldn’t consider a particular play for his backstop, however spoke typically of Bailey’s capability to throw out runners.
“Watching his quick transfer and his ability to pick balls like he’s a middle infielder and throw guys out at second base, it’s so fun to watch,” Chapman stated. “I’m always excited when guys take off to second base and watch Patrick get to throw them out.”
Whereas the Giants boast two of baseball’s finest fielders, their protection, as an entire, stands to enhance.
Final yr, San Francisco’s outfielders mixed for -16 defensive runs saved (twenty seventh) and -19 outs above common (twenty ninth). These numbers stand to enhance when Jung Hoo Lee, restricted to 37 video games because of a season-ending left shoulder damage in Could, returns to patrol middle area.
Together with the outfield, Giants shortstops collectively completed with -11 defensive runs saved and -3 outs above common, however they may shortly enhance that unit in the event that they handle to signal Willy Adames or Ha-Seong Kim in free company.
“Obviously, Buster’s pretty busy right now with the hiring of the GM. There’s a lot on his plate, but I told him I’d be as involved as they’d like me to be,” Chapman stated. “I want what’s best for this team and that’s going to take bringing guys in, whether that’s trading for guys or signing guys. Whatever it is, I’m all on board. I signed up here because I really enjoy the guys here and enjoy the staff we have and I think that we can win here. So, I’m going to do whatever I can to help bring guys here and help win.”
Initially Revealed: November 3, 2024 at 5:59 PM PST
