Kansas City Royals: Predicting 2015 Gold Glove Winners

May 26, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) makes a catch at the wall to take away a hit from New York Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran (not pictured) during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Center Field, Lorenzo Cain

Here’s a perfect example of why winning a Gold Glove doesn’t mean you’re one of the nine best defenders in the league.

Unfortunately for Cain, Kiermaier’s sabermetric stats are a bit freakish.

Last year Lorenzo Cain had his Gold Glove potential hindered by his center/right field platoon work (players need to spend at least 75% of their time at one position to win).

He finished second (to Alex Gordon) in DRS for all outfielders and third in UZR, he was prohibited from winning due to the split time.

However, it should be noted he did win the inaugural Multi-Position Fielding Bible Award, beating out current teammate Ben Zobrist for the nod. Still though, the more well-known Gold Glove would’ve been nice.

Interestingly, Cain’s chief competition this year suffered a similar eligibility issue, as Kevin Kiermaier also split his time between center field and right field for the Rays in 2014.

None of this would’ve been an issue prior to 2011, as the award wasn’t specific to outfield position before. Each not only would’ve been eligible for an award in 2014, but they could both win it in 2015 as well.

Unfortunately for Cain, Kiermaier’s sabermetric stats are a bit freakish. His DRS of 39 is baffling – Cain has the second-most in the American League with 18, and the entire top 10 centerfielders (excluding Kiermaier) have less than 80 total.

His DEF is also over double that of Kevin Pillar and Cain, who reside in second and third place, respectively.

Although Cain has the edge offensively and will make his way into Most Valuable Player talks this year, this is likely going to be Kiermaier’s award in 2015.

Chance of Winning: 25%

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