For the first time in history, Rawlings has expanded their platform to award the best team defense over the course of the regular season. The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians were named the team 2020 Gold Glove Award winners based on their SABR Defensive Index rankings.
The Cubs topped the National League with a total SDI of 21.9. The St. Louis Cardinals were a close second with a total SDI of 21.6, while the Los Angeles Dodgers (13.1), San Diego Padres (8.0) and Colorado Rockies (8.0) round out the top five.
In the American League, the Indians led the way with a total SDI of 17.2, followed by the Chicago White Sox (14.5), Minnesota Twins (13.8), Tampa Bay Rays (9.6) and Houston Astros (6.0).
For the Dodgers, Mookie Betts led the way with a total SDI of 7.5. That paced NL right-fielders by a wide margin and was second to only the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado (8.5) among all NL players.
Cody Bellinger ranked 11th with a total SDI of 4.1 among NL players. That was second only to the Padres’ Trent Grisham, who took home the Gold Glove Award in center field.
Kiké Hernandez finished fourth among NL second basemen with a total SDI of 1.9. Among all NL players, that was good for 23rd, tying the Milwaukee Brewers’ Luis Urias.
Will Smith (-0.8) ranked seventh among NL catchers in total SDI. Max Muncy (-1.7) placed 10th among 13 qualified NL first basemen in total SDI.
Chris Taylor (1.0) and Corey Seager ranked sixth and eighth, respectively in total SDI among NL shortstops. AJ Pollock (-2.6) finished 10th among 15 qualified NL left fielders.
As for pitchers, Dustin May (0.0), Clayton Kershaw (-0.1) and Julio Urias (-0.4) were the only Dodgers to qualify in Rawlings’ total SDI rankings.
Gold Glove Award criteria was changed due to shortened 2020 season
For 2020 consideration, pitchers must have pitched at least 50 innings, catchers must have played in at least 29 games and infielders/outfielders must have completed at least 265 defensive innings.
In previous years, Rawlings Gold Glove Award qualifications were based on a combination of the SDI and the managers and coaches’ vote. However, due to the shortened 2020 season, only the former was taken into consideration for the voting.
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