The 2023 American League Gold Glove Award Winners were announced on ESPN on Sunday evening. The World Series Champion Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays led the way with three recipients each. Baseball glove manufacturer Rawlings created the award in 1957.
The Winners:
- First base: Nathaniel Lowe, Texas Rangers
- Second base: Andres Gimenez, Cleveland Guardians
- Third base: Matt Chapman, Toronto Blue Jays
- Shortstop: Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees
- Catcher: Jonah Heim, Texas Rangers
- Pitcher: Jose Berrios, Toronto Blue Jays
- Left field: Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians
- Center field: Kevin Kiermaier, Toronto Blue Jays
- Right field: Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers
- Utility: Mauricio Dubon, Houston Astros
A Breakdown:
Lowe had a drastic turnaround this season. In the 2022 season, Lowe was the worst-rated first baseman in the American League. This year, he won his first Gold Glove after finishing with four outs above average, up from –11. In 1,330 chances, Lowe only made three errors on the season.
Gimenez won his second Gold Glove after finishing the season with 18 outs above average.
Chapman won his fourth Gold Glove at the hot corner as he heads into free agency. This is his second with the Blue Jays. He had four outs above average and saved 12 runs.
Volpe is the first rookie in the long history of the Yankees to win a Gold Glove. He saved an impressive 14 runs and is the second Yankees shortstop to win the award after Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.
Heim also won his first Gold Glove award for the World Champs. Heim led all AL backstops in fielding runs above average with 22.8. He was in the top five in the majors in catching base stealers.
Six First-Time Winners
Berrios recorded a career-high 26 assists and 15 putouts with two errors to lead to his first Gold Glove for the Blue Jays.
Kwan takes home his second Gold Glove for Cleveland by leading the majors with nine outs above average and saving 16 runs. He joins Kenny Lofton and Grady Sizemore as the only Cleveland outfielders to win multiple Gold Glove Awards.
Kiermaier continues to be the premiere defensive centerfielder in the AL with his fourth Gold Glove. He led the league with 13 outs above average while saving 18 runs.
Garcia wins his first Gold Glove on the power of his cannon-like arm. He had 11 assists and four outs above average.
First-time winner Dubon spent most of his time at second base and center field while filling in around the diamond for the Astros. Overall, he graded out with five runs saved and three outs above average.
