LOOK: Four Guardians Receive Their Gold Glove Awards
The 2022 Cleveland Guardians were built on aggressive base running, dominant pitching, and fundamental defense. The team had four players walk away from the regular season with Gold Gloves because of this play style.
Shane Bieber, Andres Gimenez, Steven Kwan, and Myles Straw all won the award at their respective positions following the regular season. This was the first time in franchise history that four players won a Gold Glove in the same year.
It doesn't happen often either. The last AL team to do this was the 2003 Seattle Mariners.
All four players received their gold trophies before Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Gimenez and Straw both ranked in the 97th percentile outs above average, according to Baseball Savant. Andres led al AL second baseman with 16 defensive runs saved which helped him reach his first career All-Star Game. Straw led the AL with the assists with 12.
Kwan initially made the team in 2022 because of his hot bat and stellar plate approach. However, once he settled in in left field he really shined on defense. He led all AL left field with seven assists and flashed the leather with some incredible catches on multiple occasions.
One may not think of a pitcher being a fielding specialist, but Bieber is pretty close to that. He had a .969 fielding percentage and was second in the league with 32 putouts. There are a number of pitchers who struggle to throw the ball to anyone other than the catcher, but not Shane.
----
Read More:
A Much-Needed Game For Josh Naylor, Despite Guardians Loss
Injury Update On Guardians Catcher Mike Zunino
Could The Guardians Trade Shane Bieber?
Terry Francona Offers Blunt Reaction To Guardians Offense Against The Tigers
Guardians Top Prospect Williams Strikes Out 10 In Latest Dominate Outing
Be sure to stay locked into Cleveland Baseball Insider all the time:
SUBSCRIBE to the CBI YouTube channel
Follow Cleveland Baseball Insider on Twitter: @CBI_FanNation
Photo Credit © Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
