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Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado should win a Gold Glove award

By Kristen Bentley

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles attempts a throw to first base but cannot get a force out of David Freese #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth inning during the game at PNC Park on September 26, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles attempts a throw to first base but cannot get a force out of David Freese #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth inning during the game at PNC Park on September 26, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles third-baseman extraordinaire, Manny Machado, is in the running for a Gold Glove Award.

He is the only Baltimore Orioles player who is in the running for one of these prestigious awards.

If Machado wins this award, it would be his third one having earned Gold Glove awards in 2013 and 2015.

Machado also has a Platinum Glove Award, which is only given to one player from each league. He won that in 2013 after winning votes from fans and the people in from Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).

The tough competition at third base

Machado does have some stiff competition this year as two other strong defensive players in the American League are also nominated for the honor. According to MLB.com, Jose Ramirez and Evan Longoria. Ramirez had a breakout season with his first All-Star Game in 2017, but he has yet to win any awards for his hitting and fielding prowess. Longoria, on the other hand, has several awards to his name including two Gold Glove Awards from 2009 and 2010.

The Gold Glove Award is given for defensive skills. Machado has been wowing the crowds with the acrobatic catches and impressively strong throws. Machado, Ramirez, and Longoria have very similar numbers, so his win is not guaranteed like it may have been in other years.

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Compared to the other two men who were nominated for this award, Machado’s range per game is the best of the three at 2.70. But, his fielding percentage is the lowest of the three, but their numbers are tight: Machado has .967, Longoria has .968, and Ramirez has .972. Throughout Machado’s career, it is his range that has been most impressive.

Impressive numbers

Machado should win the award over Jose Ramirez, simply based on sheer numbers of games played at third base. According to Baseball Reference, Ramirez played 88 games at third base and 71 games at second base. Longoria played 142 games at third and he covered the designated hitter spot in 14 games. Machado only played third base and he did so in 156 games.

His sheer numbers at the position are impressive. He was involved in 37 double plays and had 297 assists. He had 14 errors, but out of 425 chances, that’s not a bad number. Especially at the hot corner. For comparison, Ramirez had 6 errors, but 213 changes. Longoria had 12 errors in 375 chances.

Machado also started a triple play on August 3, against the Detroit Tigers. It was Machado’s first one and he was able to turn it with this speed and agility at third base.

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He is clearly deserving of another Gold Glove for his outstanding performance on defense.

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