Will there be a Gold Glove trophy in the No Fly Zone?
Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez was named an American League finalist for the annual award given to the top defensive player in each league at their respective position.
Rawlings, the longtime sponsor of the Gold Glove awards, made the announcement via social media Wednesday afternoon.
Rodriguez was the Mariners' only representative among the AL finalists (three at every defensive position, including pitcher and utility player). Seattle had hope that third baseman Eugenio Suarez, catcher Cal Raleigh and first baseman Ty France might also be nominees at their respective positions.
Joining Rodriguez as a finalist in center fielder are Kevin Kiermaier of the Blue Jays and Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox.
Rodriguez started 152 games in center field for the Mariners in 2023, recording a .994 fielding percentage and committing just two errors in 360 total chances, His fielding percentage was third highest among American League center fielders.
In terms of advanced defensive metrics, he generated 12 outs above average (OAA), which is a that measures the total effect of all individual plays made by a fielder based on MLB Statcast data. Rodriguez's 12 OAA ranked third most among AL outfielders, trailing only Kiermaier (13) and Robert Jr. (13). He also has a minus-5 defensive runs saved value while Kiermaier has a +18 DRS.
Rodriguez was credited with robbing two homers 2023, making him one of 11 MLB outfielders with multiple home run robberies during the past season, per Sports Info Solutions.
The selection for the awards is based on votes from opposing coaches and managers in each league, which represents 75% of the tally. The other 25% is conducted by a committee that analyzes advanced metrics and data.
If Rodriguez were to win, he would become the first Mariners player to win a Gold Glove since shortstop J.P. Crawford and first baseman Evan White each won in 2020, and the first Mariners outfielder to win since Franklin Gutiérrez and Ichiro each won in 2010.
The Gold Glove award winners will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 5, on ESPN from 4:30-5:30 p.m. PT, with Platinum Glove voting beginning immediately after the show.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
FIRST BASE
* Nathaniel Lowe, TEX
* Ryan Mountcastle, BAL
* Anthony Rizzo, NYY
SECOND BASE
* Mauricio Dubon, HOU
* Andrés Gimenez, CLE
* Marcus Semien, TEX
THIRD BASE
* Alex Bregman, HOU
* Matt Chapman, TOR
* Jose Ramirez, CLE
SHORTSTOP
* Carlos Correa, MIN
* Corey Seager, TEX
* Anthony Volpe, NYY
LEFT FIELD
* Austin Hays, BAL
* Steven Kwan, CLE
* Daulton Varsho, TOR
CENTER FIELD
* Kevin Kiermaier, TOR
* Luis Robert Jr., CWS
* Julio Rodriguez, SEA
RIGHT FIELD
* Adolis García, TEX
* Kyle Tucker, HOU
* Alex Verdugo, BOS
CATCHER
* Jonah Heim, TEX
* Alejandro Kirk, TOR
* Adley Rutschman, BAL
PITCHER
* Jose Berrios, TOR
* Sonny Gray, MIN
* Pablo López, MIN
UTILITY
* Mauricio Dubon, HOU
* Zach McKinstry, DET
* Taylor Walls, TB
NATIONAL LEAGUE
FIRST BASE
* Freddie Freeman, LAD
* Carlos Santana, PIT/MIL
* Christian Walker, AZ
SECOND BASE
* Nico Hoerner, CHC
* Ha-Seong Kim, SD
* Bryson Stott, PHI
THIRD BASE
* Ke'Bryan Hayes, PIT
* Ryan McMahon, COL
* Austin Riley, ATL
SHORTSTOP
* Francisco Lindor, NYM
* Dansby Swanson, CHC
* Ezequiel Tovar, COL
LEFT FIELD
* Ian Happ, CHC
* David Peralta, LAD
* Eddie Rosario, ATL
CENTER FIELD
* Brenton Doyle, COL
* Michael Harris II, ATL
* Alek Thomas, AZ
RIGHT FIELD
* Mookie Betts, LAD
* Fernando Tatis Jr., SD
* Lane Thomas, WSH
CATCHER
* Patrick Bailey, SF
* Gabriel Moreno, AZ
* J.T. Realmuto, PHI
PITCHER
* Jesus Luzardo, MIA
* Taijuan Walker, PHI
* Zack Wheeler, PHI
UTILITY
* Mookie Betts, LAD
* Tommy Edman, STL
* Ha-Seong Kim, SD
