Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award
The Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award is awarded annually to the best defensive player at each fielding position in Major League Baseball. One overall Defensive Player of the Year is also selected each year. Unlike the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, which are voted on by major league managers and coaches, the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award winners are determined by statistics using sabermetrics. In 2012, the baseball glove manufacturer Wilson created the Defensive Player of the Year Award to honor the best defensive player on each team in Major League Baseball. One award winner was selected from each league as that league's overall Defensive Player of the Year. Starting in 2014, the awards are given to the best defensive player at each position, regardless of league, and the overall award is given to only one player, regardless of league. Also in 2014, a new award was created for the best Defensive Team of the Year, regardless of league.[1]
Key
Year | Links to the corresponding Major League Baseball season |
1B | First baseman |
2B | Second baseman |
3B | Third baseman |
SS | Shortstop |
LF | Left fielder |
CF | Center fielder |
RF | Right fielder |
C | Catcher |
P | Pitcher |
Winners
During the first two years, the award was given to the best defensive player on each team in Major League Baseball. Starting in 2014, the award is given to the best fielder at each position in all of Major League Baseball.
Major Leagues combined (2014–present)
Year | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | LF | CF | RF | C | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Adrian Gonzalez | Ian Kinsler | Juan Uribe | Andrelton Simmons | Alex Gordon | Lorenzo Cain | Jason Heyward | Russell Martin | Johnny Cueto |
2015 | Paul Goldschmidt | Dee Gordon | Nolan Arenado | Andrelton Simmons | Starling Marte | Kevin Pillar | Jason Heyward | Buster Posey | Jacob deGrom |
2016 | Anthony Rizzo | Dustin Pedroia | Nolan Arenado | Brandon Crawford | Brett Gardner | Kevin Kiermaier | Mookie Betts | Buster Posey | Zack Greinke |
2017 | Carlos Santana | DJ LeMahieu | Nolan Arenado | Andrelton Simmons | Alex Gordon | Byron Buxton | Yasiel Puig | Martin Maldonado | Tyler Chatwood |
Overall Defensive Player of the Year
Starting in 2014, the award is given to only one player in all of Major League Baseball.
Year | League | Player | Team | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012 (AL) |
American | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | OF |
2012 (NL) |
National | Michael Bourn | Atlanta Braves | OF |
2013 (AL) |
American | Dustin Pedroia | Boston Red Sox | 2B |
2013 (NL) |
National | Gerardo Parra | Arizona Diamondbacks | OF |
2014 | National | Jason Heyward | Atlanta Braves | RF |
2015 | National | Andrelton Simmons | Atlanta Braves | SS |
2016 | American | Mookie Betts[2] | Boston Red Sox | RF |
2017 | American | Byron Buxton | Minnesota Twins | CF |
Defensive Team of the Year
Year | Team |
---|---|
2014 | Cincinnati Reds |
2015 | Arizona Diamondbacks |
2016 | San Francisco Giants |
2017 | Los Angeles Dodgers |
See also
- Fielding Bible Award
- Esurance MLB Awards – includes Best Defensive Player
- Baseball awards § United States
References
- ↑ "Wilson Defensive Player of The Year Award". Baseball Almanac. 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
- ↑ Miller, Doug (November 11, 2016). "Best Betts: Sox OF, Giants earn top defender honors: Boston star named Defensive Player of the Year; Giants win club honor". MLB.com. Retrieved November 11, 2016.