Throughout the Rockies’ difficult 101-loss season, the one positive thing they could count on was their solid and often outstanding defense.
So it was no surprise that center fielder Brenton Doyle, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and third baseman Ryan McMahon were named Tuesday morning as finalists for the National League’s Rawlings Gold Glove awards.
Three finalists were named for each position. The Gold Glove Award winners will be unveiled on Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. MST during a “Baseball Tonight” broadcast on ESPN.
Doyle, known for his athleticism, strong arm, and an array of highlight-reel plays, is seeking his second consecutive Gold Glove, and he has an excellent chance of repeating. Last year, the center fielder became the second Colorado rookie to win the award. The other was third baseman Nolan Arenado, who snagged the first of his 10 Gold Gloves in 2013.
Doyle was the first NL rookie outfielder in history to win a Gold Glove. This year’s other finalists are the Brewers’ Blake Perkins and the Nationals’ Jacob Young.
Tovar and McMahon were both finalists last year, Tovar for the first time and McMahon for the third time. Manager Bud Black lobbied hard for all three Rockies players to win, and was especially adamant that Tovar deserves the award.
But both Tovar and McMahon face stiff competition at positions stocked with talent.
Joining Tovar as a finalist at shortstop are the Cubs’ Dansby Swanson and the Cardinals’ Masyn Winn. Tovar, a finalist in each of his first two seasons in the majors, finished second among all big-league shortstops with a .988 fielding percentage. Tovar led all major league shortstops in total chances (676) and double plays (113) while also leading all major league players in assists (435).
McMahon is competing for a Gold Glove at third against the Giants’ Matt Chapman and Arenado, who’s played for the Cardinals since 2021. According to Sports Info Solutions, McMahon’s 10 defensive runs saved were tied for second in the majors among third basemen, while his 9.7 UZR (Ultimate Zone Rate, Fangraphs) was the fourth-highest among all qualified position players.
McMahon also led the NL with 436 total chances and 323 assists, tied for second with 33 double plays and ranked fifth with a .966 fielding percentage.
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