Rawlings has named New York Yankees third-baseman Gio Urshela and right-fielder Clint Frazier Gold Glove award finalists at their respective positions.
Urshela, always carrying the reputation of being a great defender, is looking for his first Gold Glove award. 2020 saw him with a 0.7 dWAR and six defensive runs saved in 43 games. Additionally, he held a .992 fielding with just one error.
Since picking him up from the Blue Jays, Urshela has always been one of the most fun defenders to watch. With his extraordinary quickness and reaction-time, not much gets by the 29-year-old.
Urshela will be going against Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the Texas Rangers and Yoan Moncada of the Chicago White Sox for possession of the award. With a 1.3 dWAR, Kiner-Falefa is the favorite to win the award.
Once regarded as one of the worst defenders in baseball, Frazier has improved his defense and showed it off all season. With diving catches, a strong arm, and speed, Frazier played well enough to be named a Gold Glove award finalist.
Frazier unfortunately had a 0.0 dWAR, but managed four defensive runs saved in right-field. In 27 games covering right-field, the 26-year-old had just one error.
To take home the award, Frazier will need to beat out Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers and Anthony Santander of the Baltimore Orioles. Gallo is the clear favorite with a 1.0 dWAR and a whopping 12 defensive runs saved.
Seeing Frazier as a finalist is a big enough deal as it is. In 2019, Frazier had a -1.0 dWAR and -8 defensive runs saved. Frazier was sent to AAA in 2019 to improve his defense, something he’s battled his entire career. The nomination is enough to prove that his defense has improved and that he deserves to start for a team.
Although both are long-shots to win the awards, congrats to both Urshela and Frazier on the nominations.