Kansas City Royals: Alex Gordon up for another Gold Glove

Another offseason, another Gold Glove nomination for Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon, who is vying for his seventh award.

From the department of “Have we been here before?” it was announced today that Alex Gordon is up for another Gold Glove nomination. If he were to win this season, this would add to his 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018 crownings as a member of the Kansas City Royals.

This will be his highest fielding percentage for a year since 2013, when he made one error in 341 chances for a .997 mark. He also only made one error in 2019 but with only 276 chances his percentage dropped to .996. His lone error was not fielding a baseball but on a throw way back on May 8th at the Los Angeles Angels.

His seven outfield assists are the lowest since 2016 but that is a combination of fewer chances hit his way and teams not being willing to run on Gordon despite his aging arm. Compared to other outfielders, he fielded his position 11 points higher than league average which is an amazing difference.

He also started two double plays for the Kansas City Royals and on all plays hit his direction that had a 40-60 percent chance of being fielding successfully, he closed the deal a ridiculous 88.9 percent of the time. If he were to win, Gordon would tie Frank White for most Gold Gloves in Kansas City Royals franchise history. Overall he would only be behind Ken Griffey Jr. for placing in the top three overall in outfield Gold Gloves won.

Not bad for a player who did not begin playing the outfield full-time until his fifth year in the majors converting from third base. He was 27 years old when that happened and the next season he won his first Gold Glove. On top of all the Gold Gloves won, in 2014 Gordon received the American League Platinum Glove which is an award from the fans who vote on the best defensive player from that season’s Gold Glove winners.

Imagine if Gordon came up with the Kansas City Royals playing left field the entire time and his bat was producing to keep him in the lineup. He could easily be challenging for the all-time lead in this award for outfielders.