San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman took home his fifth Gold Glove Award, marking his first win in the National League, while Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. joined 13 other first-time Gold Glove winners, showcasing baseball’s emerging defensive talents. The Gold Glove, awarded by Rawlings, remains one of the sport’s most prestigious recognitions for defensive prowess.
Seasoned Winners and Fresh Faces Shine
Alongside Chapman, other repeat Gold Glove recipients included Cleveland Guardians’ second baseman Andrés Giménez and left fielder Steven Kwan, each winning for the third consecutive year. Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker and Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ also secured their third straight wins. Meanwhile, Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle celebrated his second consecutive win.
Chapman’s latest Gold Glove victory carries special significance. After four previous wins in the American League — three with the Oakland Athletics and one with the Toronto Blue Jays — this award represents his first in the National League. In a post-award interview, Chapman shared his excitement, “A lot of really good defensive third basemen are stacked in the National League. I was able to come over here and win it, so I thought that was pretty cool. To get one in both leagues now means a lot.”
Chapman was one of three finalists for the National League’s third baseman Gold Glove, alongside St. Louis Cardinals’ 10-time winner Nolan Arenado and Colorado Rockies’ Ryan McMahon, adding weight to his victory amid fierce competition.
Teams with Multiple Winners
Six teams had two players honored with Gold Glove awards this season. The Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners each saw two of their players recognized, underscoring the importance of defensive skills across the league.
New Faces in the American League and National League
The American League’s roster of first-time winners featured several rising stars. In addition to Witt, winners included Royals pitcher Seth Lugo, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Minnesota Twins first baseman Carlos Santana, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho, Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu, and Mariners utility player Dylan Moore.
In the National League, new honorees included Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale, Giants catcher Patrick Bailey, Brewers second baseman Brice Turang and right fielder Sal Frelick, Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, and Pittsburgh Pirates utility player Jared Triolo. For the Brewers, Frelick and Turang became the first teammates to win Gold Gloves in the same season since Lorenzo Cain in 2019, following in the footsteps of Cecil Cooper and Sixto Lezcano, who achieved the honor together in 1979.
Frelick expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s obviously an honor. A little surreal, still. Even cooler to do it with Brice.”
Financial Incentives and Historical Context
In addition to the recognition, some players received cash bonuses for their Gold Glove achievements. Bregman, Giménez, Lugo, Moore, and Witt each earned $50,000, while Santana received a $25,000 bonus.
The 2023 season’s 14 first-time winners align with last year’s results, which also saw a high number of newcomers to the Gold Glove ranks. Voting was conducted by each team’s managers and up to six coaches, with a rule that they couldn’t vote for their own players. Since 2013, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) has contributed to the process with a defensive index that factors into 25% of the final decision, helping quantify defensive excellence with advanced metrics.
The utility player category, based on a SABR formula and various defensive statistics, further emphasizes the importance of versatility in today’s game.
With this year’s array of seasoned winners and impressive newcomers, the Gold Glove Awards continue to celebrate the evolving fielding talents shaping the future of Major League Baseball.
