In 2023, Boston’s lone Gold Glove finalist was Alex Verdugo for right field.
Then, they traded him to the New York Yankees for pitching.
Yet from the first day of spring training, Red Sox manager Alex Cora maintained that the club was confident in their outfield contingent. Throughout the season, he pointed out that the ‘24 group was even better.
On Tuesday, Rawlings’ Gold Glove finalists announcement reinforced that: Jarren Duran is a first-time finalist in center field, and Wilyer Abreu is a finalist in right.
Duran was one of the top defenders in the game this season, with 11 Outs Above Average (7 OAA in center). He ranked in the 95th MLB percentile in OAA and Fielding Run Value.
Abreu’s 7 OAA put him on top of all American League right-fielders and tied with Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick for first among all Major League right-fielders. The Red Sox rookie ranked in the 90th MLB percentile in Fielding Run Value, OAA, Arm Value, and Arm Strength.
Neither nod is surprising, but the exclusion of Ceddanne Rafaela from the Utility category certainly is. In his rookie season, the defensive standout became the first player in modern MLB history (since 1901) to play at least 60 games at shortstop and center in the same season. He finished the season with 87 appearances in center, 82 at short, 10 at second, four a third, and one in right. However, while he was worth 5 OAA in center, it’s likely his minus-7 OAA at short cost him the nod.
Two factors decide the Gold Glove winners: team managers and up to six coaches per club vote on the candidates in their respective league – but not players from their own team – for 75% of the decision. The SABR Defensive Index (SDI) contributes the remaining 25%. As of SABR’s most recent update in mid-August, Duran’s 4.7 SDI ranked fourth among American League centerfielders, and Abreu’s 4.1 SDI ranked second among AL right-fielders.
The Red Sox haven’t had a Gold Glove winner since Mookie Betts took home his fourth consecutive hardware in 2019. They haven’t had multiple winners since 2018.
Winners will be announced on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” on Nov. 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.