Pittsburgh Pirates Players Take Home Defensive Accolades

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 28: Jacob Stallings #58 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 28: Jacob Stallings #58 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

On Thursday multiple postseason defensive accolades were announced for Pittsburgh Pirates players including a trio of Gold Glove Award finalists

With the World Series now underway postseason award season is just around the corner for Major League Baseball. Even though the regular season was a poor one for the Pittsburgh Pirates, postseason award season could be a bust one.

On Wednesday, superstar center fielder Bryan Reynolds was named a finalist for the National League Silver Slugger Award among center fielders. Thursday afternoon, a trio of Pirate players were named Gold Glove Award finalists.

Reynolds was among these three players. While Reynolds had a -5 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) in center field, his Outs Above Average (OAA) was a strong +10. While Reynolds is more deserving of the Silver Slugger Award than the Gold Glove, it would be great to see him take home both.

Jacob Stallings has been named a finalist for the Gold Glove Award among catchers. To be honest, there may not be a player in baseball who is more deserving of a Gold Glove Award than Stallings. The suddenly veteran backstop was among the best defensive players in baseball this past season.

His +21 DRS was tied with Houston shortstop Carlos Correa for the best in baseball, regardless of position. His 16.4 dWAR was third among NL catchers, and he was among the best pitch framers in all of baseball. He also led all MLB catchers in blocking rate.

Finally, there is shortstop Kevin Newman. During the 2021 season Newman made massive defensive strides at shortstop as he went form being a liability to being a gold Glove Award finalist at the position.

Newman entered the season with a career DRS of -14 at shortstop, but posted a +9 DRS during the season. After entering the season with a career OAA of -11 at shortstop, Newman improved to post a +4 OAA.

The last time a Pittsburgh Pirates player won a Gold Glove Award was Corey Dickerson who took home the award for NL left fielders in 2018. With three finalists, including Stallings who should be the favorite behind the dish, the Pirates have a good opportunity to take home a Gold Glove Award this offseason.

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