San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez emerged as the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners for 2023.
The fan-centric award’s voting results were announced late Friday night. Giménez and Tatis claimed top honors after they were both among the Gold Glove winners announced on Monday. Alongside the top defensive players, the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers were recognized as Rawlings Gold Glove defensive teams.
With his latest American League honor, Giménez became the first second baseman to win a Platinum Glove. He also joined Francisco Lindor, who claimed the accolade in 2016, as the only Cleveland player to win the award.
Giménez held a .991 fielding percentage this season while recording 87 double-plays and 401 assists, both career-bests. The 25-year-old notched 23 defensive runs saved, ranking third behind Tatis and Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho.
Tatis, on the other hand, became the first right fielder to win the Platinum Glove after a year from returning from injuries and a PED suspension. When the 25-year-old returned this year, he shifted positions from shortstop to right field. This season, Tatis was tied for third in outfield assists with 12. He is the first Padre and the first outfielder from the National League to snag the award.
Fans casted their votes for the Platinum Glove Award for the first time in 2011. It blends international voting results with the Society for American Baseball Research’s Defensive Index. The Gold Glove award is based on that index and decisions from team managers and coaches.
This year marks the first time in six years that eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado isn’t the NL Platinum Glove honoree. The AL award has gone to a different recipient in each of the last five years.
