MLB

Predicting 15 MLB Players Who Will Win Gold Gloves In 2014

Predicting 15 MLB Players Who Will Win Gold Gloves In 2014

Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
Getty Images

Defense is the most overlooked part of baseball, but above-average defenders are pitchers best friends. Here is a look at 15 players who will win a Gold Glove this season in their respective leagues.

15. Aramis Ramirez, 3B

Aramis Ramirez Milwaukee Brewers
Getty Images

15. Aramis Ramirez, 3B

Aramis Ramirez Milwaukee Brewers
Getty Images

Last year, Colorado Rockies rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado took home his first gold glove by making incredible, highlight reel plays on a daily basis. This season, while Arenado has had 15 errors, veteran Aramis Ramirez has been as steady as they come. The 36-year-old Ramirez has a .964 fielding percentage and will capture his first career Gold Glove.

14. Alex Gordon, OF

Alex Gordon Kansas City Royals
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

14. Alex Gordon, OF

Alex Gordon Kansas City Royals
Getty Images

Although he was originally drafted as a third baseman, Alex Gordon has become an incredible outfielder. With a .994 fielding percentage, he leads all American League left fielders. His incredible range and arm have accounted for seven outfield assists. If a ball is hit his way, it is best for base runners to stay. His defensive WAR of 2.2 ranks sixth among all AL position players.

13. Yadier Molina, C

Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

13. Yadier Molina, C

Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Yadier Molina is not only the best defensive catcher in the game today, but he may be the best player to ever play the position. He excels at not only blocking pitches, but he also has a stellar arm and handles pitching staffs as well as anyone. The only knock on Molina this season is that he has only played in 99 games due to injury.

12. Jonathan Lucroy, C

Jonathan Lucroy Milwaukee Brewers
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

12. Jonathan Lucroy, C

Jonathan Lucroy Milwaukee Brewers
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

If Molina does not win the NL Gold Glove, Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy will. Lucroy has not only become an offensive force, but he has become one of the best behind the plate, too. There is no one better than him at getting pitchers strikes. When pitches are in the dirt, he is a wall. His top-10 NL defensive WAR should help him when it is time to vote.

11. Josh Donaldson, 3B

Josh Donaldson Oakland A's
Getty Images

11. Josh Donaldson, 3B

Josh Donaldson Oakland A's
Getty Images

Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado may be the best defender since Brooks Robinson, but he was only able to play in 82 games this season. During the time that Machado has missed, Oakland A's third baseman Josh Donaldson has become elite. He leads the AL with a 2.9 defensive WAR and is very deserving of winning his first Gold Glove.

10. Andrelton Simmons, SS

Andrelton Simmons Atlanta Braves
Getty Images

10. Andrelton Simmons, SS

Andrelton Simmons Atlanta Braves
Getty Images

Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons has set himself apart as the best defender in the game today. When he makes plays it brings back memories of Omar Vizquel. He has the highest defensive WAR in the game, and should not only win another Gold Glove, but the Platinum Glove, too.

9. Brandon Phillips, 2B

Brandon Phillips Cincinnati Reds
Getty Images

9. Brandon Phillips, 2B

Brandon Phillips Cincinnati Reds
Getty Images

Though Brandon Phillips missed time due to injury this season, he is clearly the best defensive second baseman in baseball. He saves more runs than anyone at the position and will bring home his fifth career Gold Glove after this season.

8. Freddie Freeman, 1B

Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves
Getty Images

8. Freddie Freeman, 1B

Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves
Getty Images

Over the past few seasons, the young Freddie Freeman has made a name for himself with his bat. This season he will bring home his first Gold Glove Award. The Braves are one of the best defensive teams in all of baseball and Freeman is one of the biggest reasons that they are.

7. Jason Heyward, RF

Jason Heyward Atlanta Braves
Getty Images

7. Jason Heyward, RF

Jason Heyward
Getty Images

Jason Heyward will be among three Braves who will win a Gold Glove this season. He has a tremendous arm and is third among NL players in WAR. After winning the award in 2012, this will be his second career Gold Glove.

6. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

Dustin Pedroia Boston Red Sox
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

6. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

Dustin Pedroia Boston Red Sox
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Pedroia plays with 100 percent energy every time he steps on the field. While he has missed time due to injury, he remains the defender at the position in the AL. He has become the face of the Red Sox franchise and will win his fourth award at season's end.

5. Clayton Kershaw, P

Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

5. Clayton Kershaw, P

Los Angeles Dodgers
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

There is no doubt that Clayton Kershaw will win the NL Cy Young Award this season, but he could also be an MVP and Gold Glover, too. As one of the most athletic pitchers in all of baseball, he hops off the mound with cat-like quickness and fields his position with ease. With no clear favorite, Kershaw has a chance to win an award 'Triple Crown,' this offseason.

4. J.J. Hardy, SS

J.J. Hardy Baltimore Orioles
Getty Images

4. J.J. Hardy, SS

J.J. Hardy Baltimore Orioles
Getty Images

J.J. Hardy has won two straight Gold Gloves and this year he will win his third. His 2.0 defensive WAR is eighth in the AL to go with his strong .978 fielding percentage. With many bats out of the lineup, Hardy's defense has helped keep the Orioles among the best teams in baseball.

3. Salvador Perez, C

Salvador Perez Kansas City Royals
Getty Images

3. Salvador Perez, C

Salvador Perez Kansas City Royals
Getty Images

At just 24 years old, Salvador Perez has become the best catcher in the American League. He not only is a force at the plate, but he is the best defender, too. Last year he won his first Gold Glove and he has continued to be the best at the position this year. He is seventh in defensive WAR in the AL.

2. Mike Trout, CF

Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
Getty Images

2. Mike Trout, CF

Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
Getty Images

Just as Mike Trout has been robbed of winning the MVP award twice in his career, he has yet to win a Gold Glove. He is a human highlight reel with the plays he makes and this year he will finally not only win his first MVP, but his first Gold Glove.

1. Carlos Gomez, CF

Carlos Gomez Milwaukee Brewers
Getty Images

1. Carlos Gomez, CF

Carlos Gomez Milwaukee Brewers
Getty Images

Want to know how good Carlos Gomez is in centerfield? Just ask Joey Votto. Gomez has twice robbed him of home runs in the past two seasons (once a game winner). He covers more ground than anyone in center and he has a cannon-like arm, too. Night after night, he makes the toughest plays look routine. Although there is strong competition for the award, he will bring home his second straight Gold Glove.

Share Tweet