Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton spent September stumping for Jacob Stallings to win a Gold Glove at catcher.
Turns out, the Pirates have a pair of finalists for the Rawlings award for best defensive player. Both Stallings and second baseman Adam Frazier made the cut, which was announced Thursday.
Congratulations to Jacob Stallings and Adam Frazier on being named Rawlings Gold Glove Award Finalists! pic.twitter.com/DvHPIXSfpk
— Pirates (@Pirates) October 22, 2020
Frazier, a finalist for the second consecutive season, is in consideration along with Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs and 2019 winner Kolten Wong of the St. Louis Cardinals. Frazier, who committed only one error in 41 games at second base, ranked second in the National League in fielding percentage (.994), double plays (24) and assists (90) and third in putouts (63). He also started 14 games in left field.
Rawlings Gold Glove Award Finalists- NL Second Base: Adam Frazier, Nico Hoerner, Kolten Wong #TeamRawlings #RawlingsGoldGloveAwards pic.twitter.com/EtbUQX7Uf8
— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) October 22, 2020
Stallings also is a finalist along with a pair of NL Central foes, Tucker Barnhart of the Cincinnati Reds and Willson Contreras of the Chicago Cubs. Shelton raved about Stallings’ ability to both block and frame pitches, and Stallings led the NL in baserunners caught stealing (nine) and assists (22) and was second in errors (four).
Rawlings Gold Glove Award Finalists- NL Catcher: Tucker Barnhart, Willson Contreras, Jacob Stallings #TeamRawlings #RawlingsGoldGloveAwards pic.twitter.com/PsXis1zctt
— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) October 22, 2020
The winners will be announced at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 on ESPN.
The most recent Pirates player to win a Gold Glove was left fielder Corey Dickerson in 2018. Prior to that, Starling Marte won Gold Gloves in back-to-back years in left field in 2015 and ’16, and Andrew McCutchen won in center field in 2012.
The Pirates haven’t had a Gold Glove catcher since 1987, when Mike LaValliere won the award. Tony Pena won three consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983-85. The last Pirates second baseman to win a Gold Glove was Jose Lind in 1992. Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski won eight.
