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 – SEPTEMBER 14: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on September 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on September 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates take home two Fielding Bible Awards

In addition to three Pirate players being named Gold Glove Award finalists on Thursday, a pair of Pirate players were named Fielding Bible Award winners for their performances during the 2021 season.

One of these two players is one we have already discussed extensively. That is Stallings. While Stallings should win the Gold Glove Award for National League catchers, he has already won the Fielding Bible Award for being the best defensive catcher in all of baseball in 2021.

Joining Stallings as a Fielding Bible Award winner was third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. The defensive wizard was not named a Gold Glove Award finalist at third base, possibly due to not playing enough innings at the position in 2021 due to injury, but there is certainly an argument to be made that he was the best defensive third baseman in baseball.

Hayes finished the season with a MLB best +16 DRS. The next closest was Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley who had a +13 DRS. Hayes also posted a +13 OAA, which led all NL third baseman while ranking second among all MLB third baseman.

While the Pittsburgh Pirates took their lumps in 2021 they did play some strong defense. This was made evident by the defensive accolades that Pirate players took home on Thursday. Hopefully, there will be more to come when Gold Glove Award winners are announced.

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