Kansas City Royals: Predicting 2015 Gold Glove Winners

Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon holds up his glove after catching a fly ball hit by Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (not pictured) during the fifth inning in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Left Field, Alex Gordon

First things first: Yes, even after being sidelined for the majority of July and August with a strained groin, Alex Gordon will still be eligible to win what would be his fifth consecutive Gold Glove.

Last year, in addition to winning the Gold, he was also voted by fans as the single best defender in the American League through the receipt of the Platinum Glove. All of this, mind you, at a position different from the one he was drafted at.

With a quarter of the vote coming from statistics alone, Gordon might have a more difficult time competing this year.

Unfortunately, another Gordo Gold is far from guaranteed. Being sidelined for two months puts him third in DRS, UZR, and DEF (Defensive Runs Above Average), ranked behind the Twins’ Eddie Rosario and former American Leaguer Yoenis Cespedes.

Additionally, while it’s clear to many that the drop-off in assists for Gordon (he went from 20-17-17 from ’11-’13 down to 8-4 in ’14-’15) is due to players simply refusing to run on him, it doesn’t help his cause.

With a quarter of the vote coming from statistics alone, Gordon might have a more difficult time competing this year.

Let’s just hope the voters are turned off by Cespedes’ move to the NL and don’t overreact to Gordon’s injury. If those things go his way, this could be five straight for Gordo.

Chance of Winning: 40%

Next: Pesky Esky