Kansas City Royals: Predicting 2015 Gold Glove Winners

Sep 15, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) celebrates with catcher Salvador Perez (13) after defeating the Cleveland Indians 2-0 at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher, Salvador Perez

Salvador Perez, at age 25, will be going for his third consecutive Gold Glove this year. Last year’s win was no surprise for Perez, at least in terms of statistics. The other two American League finalists were Alex Avila and Yan Gomes, and Perez had each beat in both DRS and DEF.

Although each of them caught more baserunners, they had about 20% more opportunities to do so, while Perez gave up fewer stolen bases than each (while playing in roughly 200 more innings).

With Gomes missing a large portion of the start of the season this year, it looks like Perez’s chief competition will be veterans, Brian McCann, and Russell Martin…

Like outfielders, it’s important to consider more than the raw stats alone – simply put, teams know that their runners are going up against one of the best in Salvy, which means they’re only going at the most opportune times; the better the catcher, the more careful the opposition is.

After leading or being tied for the American League lead in DRS and DEF two years straight, Perez is second in each this season. Add the fact he’s given up the second most stolen bases (62) to the opposition, and his reign might be in jeopardy.

With Gomes missing a large portion of the start of the season this year, it looks like Perez’s chief competition will be veterans Brian McCann and Russell Martin, each of whom sit with Salvy in the top three in caught stealing and DEF.

Perez has the advantage in DRS, however, with six to McCann’s one and Martin’s negative three.

He also sits atop the league in dWAR; all of that, along with Perez’s durability and name, will hopefully be enough to compel voters to make it a three-peat for the 25-year-old kid this year.

Chances of Winning: 40%

Next: Great Team Defense