Four Royals players who deserve Gold Glove Awards

The Kansas City Royals have prided themselves on their pitching and defense. In an era where teams tend to build around high powered offense, the Royals went out to build a team truly designed around run prevention.

In order to make such a plan work, two things need to happen. First, the pitching staff needs to perform well, keeping the team within striking distance. For the most part, that has happened for the Royals, as they have a 3.55 ERA and a 1.26 WHiP heading into yesterday’s games. Add in a stellar back end of the bullpen, and the Royals pitching staff has held up their end of the bargain.

Next, the team needs to have a stellar defense. The Royals certainly have that, as they have four of the top ten in terms of defensive wins above replacement. Almost every game, the Royals defense makes several plays that other teams just are not capable of making. Even with their defensive struggles over the past week, the Royals defense has still been worth 53.1 runs saved, third in baseball. Overall, the Royals defense is considered to be the best in baseball based on the combination of defensive runs saved and positional adjustment.

With the Royals defense performing as well as they have, it would make sense that they should have several candidates for the Gold Glove Award at the end of the year. With that in mind, let’s take a look at those four players that rank in the top ten in defensive WAR.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Gordon

At this point in time, Rawlings should just have a Gold Glove award set aside for Alex Gordon each season. The Royals left fielder has continued to make great play after great play, and despite virtually no one challenging his arm any longer, has managed to record seven assists from left field, good for fourth in the American League.

Gordon has also been one of the best overall defensive players in the American League regardless of position. He leads the American League in Ultimate Zone Rating at 21.8, more than four points over the next highest rated player. Gordon also lead the league in defensive runs saved, being worth an astonishing 24 runs saved thus far this season.

Even if Alex Gordon may not have the highest defensive WAR in the league at 2.3, that is still good for a tied for fourth. That total is also tied for the best amongst American League outfielders, along with the next player on our list. Gordon has continued to live up to his reputation as an excellent defensive outfielder.

Having won three consecutive Gold Gloves, Gordon shows no signs of relinquishing his grasp on the award. He should be receiving his fourth at the end of the year.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Lorenzo Cain

In every great group of players, there is seemingly one person that is forgotten. In the Royals outfield, Lorenzo Cain may be that player. With Alex Gordon entrenched in left and Jarrod Dyson getting playing time in center, Cain is the outfielder that gets shuffled between center and right, playing each position with his usual ability.

While Gordon has the notoriety and Dyson is known for his speed, all Cain has done is match Gordon in defensive WAR this season. Even though he lags behind with only 12 defensive runs saved and a 7.9 UZR, Cain has also played in only 125 games this season. Splitting his time between center and right, and typically switching between both spots during the game.

That versatility might make Lorenzo Cain a bit of a forgotten player when one discusses the top defensive players in baseball. However, with his ability to make highlight reel plays, and his overall ability to slide between both positions without any issue, Cain deserves to be in the conversation for the Gold Glove.

Cain may not get the recognition he deserves, but he has arguably been every bit as good as Gordon. He certainly has been as valuable on defense as Gordon has been this season.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Jarrod Dyson

Unlike the others on this list, Jarrod Dyson is a part time player, having only 284 plate appearances despite playing in 113 games in total. Of those games, 102 have resulted in appearances in the field, with only 66 starts. With that being the case, one could understand is his presence on a defensive leader list would be unexpected.

However, Dyson has made the most of his opportunities. Despite playing the fewest games in the field of anyone on the list, Dyson is tied for third overall in defensive WAR at 2.1 this season. That mark is also third best amongst outfielders in the American League.

Where Jarrod Dyson has truly shined is in the advanced defensive metrics. This season, Dyson is tied for fourth in defensive runs saved with 16 and is third with a 16.7 UZR. However, when Dyson’s UZR is based a total of 150 games played, he has the third highest rate among players with a minimum of 200 innings in the field this season.

More than just a speedster, Dyson has been a valuable member of the Royals outfield defense this season. Even though he has not played nearly as much as Gordon and Cain, Dyson has been just as valuable.

Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Salvador Perez

Another player who won a Gold Glove for the Royals last season, Salvador Perez may be on the verge of putting that award in a stranglehold at catcher. At age 24, and already regarded as one of the top defensive catchers in baseball, Perez may need to build a sizable trophy case for his upcoming Gold Glove awards.

That reputation took another step forward this season. Perez ranks ninth in the American League in defensive WAR at 2.o, and rates highest amongst American League catchers. Perez has continued to show off his outstanding arm, gunning down 30% of opposing baserunners. Of course, with the reputation that the cannon attached to his shoulder has, Perez has only had 77 runners attempt to steal against him.

With eight defensive runs saved, Salvador Perez is tied with Caleb Joseph for the best mark in the American League. Perez has also come to be known for his ability to block pitches in the dirt and to steal strikes for his pitchers. His presence behind the plate is a comfort for the pitching staff, knowing that they can bounce the two strike pitch without worrying about the ball reaching the backstop.

Perez has already developed into one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. The Gold Glove award may well have his named etched in it for the foreseeable future.