Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho wins his 1st Gold Glove Award
Ex-Toronto 3rd baseman Matt Chapman honoured for 5th time by managers, coaches
Toronto Blue Jays star outfielder Daulton Varsho is a Gold Glove Award winner.
The 28-year-old Varsho, who joined the Blue Jays in 2022, was named the American League's Gold Glove Award winner for centre field during an awards ceremony broadcast live on Sunday night on ESPN's Baseball Tonight.
Other outfielders snagging the award were Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians (left field) and Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox (right field).
Other American League award winners:
- Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners (catcher)
- Carlos Santana of the Minnesota Twins (first base)
- Andres Gimenez of the Guardians (second base)
- Bobby Witt Junior of the Kansas City Royals (shortstop)
- Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros (third base)
- Seth Lugo of the Royals (pitcher)
- Dylan Moore of the Mariners (utility)
Infielder Ernie Clement of the Blue Jays was a finalist.
Former Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman, now with the San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman won his fifth Gold Glove.
"A lot of really good defensive third basemen are stacked in the National League," Chapman said in a video call. "I was able to come over here and win it, so I thought that was pretty cool and to get one in the American League and the National League now means a lot."
Six teams had two Gold Gloves winners each, with the Guardians joined by Colorado, Kansas City, Milwaukee, San Francisco and Seattle.
Other NL winners:
- Atlanta pitcher Chris Sale
- Giants catcher Patrick Bailey
- Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang and right-fielder Sal Frelick
- Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and outfielder Brenton Doyle
- Pittsburgh Pirates utility man Jared Triolo
Bregman earned a $50,000 US bonus, Gimenez, Lugo, Moore and Witt $50,000 and Santana $25,000.
There also were 14 first-time winners in 2022.
Voting was conducted among managers and up to six coaches from each team, who can't select players on their own club. Since 2013, voting has been factored with a Society for American Baseball Research defensive index, which comprises about 25 per cent of the total.
The utility category is based on a SABR formula and additional defensive statistics.
Jays' Guerrero Jr. named Silver Slugger finalist
Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named a finalist for an American League Silver Slugger Award on Monday.
Guerrero, who hit 30 homers and drove in 103 runs last season, was nominated at first base with Carlos Santana of the Minnesota Twins and Canadian Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians.
Naylor, from Mississauga, Ont., led all AL first basemen with 31 homers and 108 runs batted in. Santana hit 23 homers and drove in 71 runs.
Guerrero previously won the award in 2021.
Awards are presented to 10 players in each league. They include one catcher, one designated hitter, one utility player, one player at each infield position and three outfielders.
The manager and three coaches from every big-league team vote for the winners, which will be announced Nov. 12.
With files from The Associated Press
