Red Sox: SS Xander Bogaerts Named Gold Glove Finalist
Entering the 2015 season, the Boston Red Sox did not even know what they had in shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Could he handle the most demanding position on the field, or was he destined for a career at third base where he lack of raw power did not play as well?
After shining throughout the season both at the plate and in the field at shortstop, Bogaerts is now one of the best young players in the entire game. At 23-years-old, the sky truly is the limit.
Looking back, it really seems odd that Bogaerts’ defense at shortstop was even in question. Especially now, as the Red Sox’s shortstop has been named one of three finalists to win the Rawlings’ Gold Glove for the American League at the most demanding defensive position.
Bogaerts will have to beat out Kansas City Royals postseason star Alcides Escobar and Didi Gregorius of the New York Yankees to win the award. A tall task indeed, but not an impossible feat for the young Red Sox’s star. Win or lose, simply being nominated shows how far Bogaerts has come with his defense this season.
The Gold Glove awards, which are voted on by managers and coaches, but also take in to consideration certain statistical accounts, will be announced after the World Series. Bogaerts is Boston’s only nominee this season, as second baseman Dustin Pedroia was not selected to defend his Gold Glove from last season.
The rest of the Gold Glove nominees are as followed:
First Base AL:
Eric Hosmer, Kansas City
Mike Napoli, Texas
Mark Teixeira, New York
First Base NL:
Brandon Belt, San Francisco
Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona
Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles
Second Base AL:
Jose Altuve, Houston
Brian Dozier, Minnesota
Ian Kinsler, Detroit
Second Base NL:
Dee Gordon, Miami
DJ LeMahieu, Colorado
Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati
Third Base AL:
Adrian Beltre, Texas
Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay
Manny Machado, Baltimore
Third Base NL:
Nolan Arenado, Colorado
Matt Duffy, San Francisco
Todd Frazier, Cincinnati
Shortstop AL:
Xander Bogaerts, Boston
Alcides Escobar, Kansas City
Didi Gregorius, New York
Shortstop NL:
Brandon Crawford, San Francisco
Adeiny Hechavarria, Miami
Andrelton Simmons, Atlanta
Left Field AL:
Yoenis Cespedes, Detroit
Brett Gardner, New York
Alex Gordon, Kansas City
Left Field NL:
Starling Marte, Pittsburgh
Justin Upton, San Diego
Christian Yelich, Miami
Center Field AL:
Kevin Kiermaier, Tampa Bay
Kevin Pillar, Toronto
Mike Trout, Los Angeles
Center Field NL:
Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati
Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh
A.J. Pollock, Arizona
Right Field AL:
Kole Calhoun, Los Angeles
J.D. Martinez, Detroit
Josh Reddick, Oakland
Right Field NL:
Curtis Granderson, New York
Bryce Harper, Washington
Jason Heyward, St. Louis
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