Kansas City Royals Five Gold Glove Candidates and Their Chances
By Ben Nielsen
Sep 14, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) tags Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder (28) out at home for the final out in the ninth inning at Comerica Park. Kansas City won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Salvador Perez
Other Candidates: Joe Mauer, Matt Wieters
Wieters is the reigning two-time defender of the year at catcher for the American League but he had a really tough year this season behind the plate in terms of the metrics. Add in his bad year at the plate, which oddly matters in this equation sometimes, and would seem to be down to two candidates.
What may win it for Perez over Mauer this season is Mauer played only 660 innings behind the plate compared to Perez’ 1,115. Mauer has the better traditional metrics – he led the American League caught stealing percentage – but the playing time is a big blow to those numbers.
If Perez were to win, it wouldn’t be a joke. By runs saved he bested Mauer by two full runs.
Prediction: Perez wins.