Even with the Pirates' struggles this season, the group did improve defensively in 2021, and half of that defense was recognized through a pair of award announcements Thursday.
Jacob Stallings, Bryan Reynolds and Kevin Newman were all named finalists for Gold Gloves, and Stallings and Ke'Bryan Hayes were recipients of the Fielding Bible Award.
Hayes would have likely also been a nominee for a Gold Glove, but he did not meet the qualification of having played 713 innings in the field by the team's 142nd game.
For Newman and Reynolds, this is their first Gold Glove nomination. Reynolds was named a finalist for a Silver Slugger earlier this week.
It's Stallings' second straight year, being named a finalist, finishing runner up to Tucker Barnhart of the Reds in 2020.
This year, however, Stallings is the heavy favorite to win this time around. The winners are determined via a coach’s vote and how the player grades on SABR’s defensive index (SDI). As of SABR's last public update in August, Stallings led all catchers in SDI.
“I’m sure the numbers will say I’m deserving to win,” Stallings told me at the end of the season. “Hopefully I get enough coach votes. It would be a dream come true. But at the end of the day, I feel deserving, and that means more. To know I played well.”
Among his defensive achievements this season, Stallings did not allow a passed ball over 892 innings caught. The last National League catcher who caught that many innings without letting a ball go by was Johnny Bench in 1975.
If Stallings wins, he should also be in the mix for the Platinum Glove, which goes to each league's top defender. Stallings is joined by fellow finalists Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals and J.T. Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Newman was challenged at the end of the 2020 season to improve defensively for this year. After spending the winter taking close grounders off a machine, he did just that, improving his fielding percentage to .993, the best among all shortstops. Joining Newman as finalists are Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants and Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets.
Reynolds started the year as a left fielder, but shifted over to center in late April. His 11 Outs Above Average, per Baseball Savant, were second among National League outfielders this year. It's all about the NL Central at centerfield as Harrison Bader of the Cardinals and Jackie Bradley, Jr. of the Milwaukee Brewers join Reynolds as finalists.
For Hayes and Stallings, this is their first wins for a Fielding Bible Award. Stallings tied for the major league lead with 21 defensive runs saved, sharing the distinction with Carlos Correa of the Astros. Despite playing just 96 games, Hayes finished fourth in baseball with 16 DRS.
The Gold Glove winners will be revealed Nov. 7 on ESPN.
