Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is hoping that the third time will be the charm as he continues his pursuit of a coveted Gold Glove Award.
At 28, Varsho is widely considered one of the best defensive players in Major League Baseball, yet the prestigious award—granted annually to the top defender at each position—has eluded him so far. In the past two seasons, Varsho finished in the top three for corner outfield spots but fell short of the win. This year, he is a finalist in center field, stepping in after Kevin Kiermaier’s departure. Meanwhile, Jays infielder Ernie Clement is also in the top three, competing for the third base Gold Glove.
Varsho’s versatility in playing multiple positions has previously worked against him, and it might factor in again this year. He logged 672 innings in center field and 404 in left. However, his main competition, Boston’s Jarren Duran, has a similar split, with 810 innings in center and 611 in left.
Varsho seems to have the edge, having led the majors with 29 defensive runs saved (DRS) and tying with Tampa Bay’s Jose Siri for the most outs above average (OAA) by an outfielder at 16. In comparison, Duran posted 23 DRS and 11 OAA. Houston’s Jake Meyers, though a finalist, would be an unexpected winner, having played 1,144 innings in center with 14 OAA.
Clement, on the other hand, has been one of the few Jays to exceed expectations this season. He entered spring training without a guaranteed roster spot but earned a place on the bench. The 28-year-old later took over everyday duties at third base after Isiah Kiner-Falefa was injured and eventually traded.
Houston’s Alex Bregman is seen as the frontrunner at third base, having recorded six OAA and six DRS in 1,234 innings. Clement played roughly half that time at third, posting three OAA and 10 DRS. Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez rounds out the list of finalists for the position.
The Gold Glove Awards are determined by a combination of votes and the SABR Defensive Index, which calculates how many runs a player saves compared to an average defender. Managers and six coaches from each team vote, though they are not allowed to vote for their own players.
In other news, right-hander José Berríos, who won a Gold Glove last year, is not among the top three finalists this season, nor is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who took home the award at first base in 2022. However, former Jays players Matt Chapman (third base), Gabriel Moreno (catcher), and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (left field) are among the top three finalists in their respective National League positions.
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