Inside The Diamondbacks

Alek Thomas is NL Centerfield Gold Glove Finalist

The rookie centerfielder wowed voters and fans with highlight reel catches

Jack Sommers

© Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Alek Thomas has been named a finalist for the NL Glove Glove award for centerfield in his rookie season in 2022. The other two nominees are Trent Grisham  of the Padres and Victor Robles of the Nationals.

A second round draft pick in 2018, Thomas came up through the Diamondbacks system with a strong defensive reputation, and didn't disappoint. Night after night from almost the very first day he made great running and diving catches. Manning the difficult Chase Field centerfield, as well as the big outfields throughout the NL West, Thomas didn't just hold his own, but emerged as one of the best centerfielders in baseball.  

Thomas' +6 defensive runs saved in centerfield was tied 4th best in the NL despite starting just 102 games in centerfield after being called up in May. Likewise, his +6 Outs Above average was the the 5th highest total among NL centerfielders. 

Taken together with fellow Gold Glove finalist Daulton Varsho, as well as fleet outfielders Corbin Carroll and Jake McCarthy the Diamondbacks have the fastest best defensive outfield in MLB.

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Jack Sommers
JACK SOMMERS

Jack Sommers is the Publisher for Arizona Diamondbacks ON SI. Formerly a baseball operations department analyst for the D-backs, Jack also covered the team as a credentialed beat writer for SB Nation and has written for MLB.com and The Associated Press. Follow Jack on Twitter @shoewizard59

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