St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn received his first career Gold Glove on Sunday night. At the same time, centerfielder Victor Scott II fell short in his race as Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong came away with the award.
Winn was excellent at shortstop for the Cardinals this season, with over 500 chances; the young shortstop committed just three errors and posted a 21 Outs Above Average, the highest by any National League shortstop and third in the National League among all positions.
Playing one of the toughest positions on the field at an elite level, Winn has solidified his consideration for the Platinum Glove. Winn did this while missing the end of the season, going on the injured list in mid-September with a torn meniscus that first appeared in an MRI in June, according to John Denton of MLB.com.
His three biggest competitors are Crow-Armstrong, Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, and San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey. Bailey was excellent behind the plate and led the league with a Fielding Run Value of 31. Crow-Armstrong leads the National League in Outs Above Average with 24; meanwhile, Hayes is tied with Winn with 21. While the stats show a tight race between the four Gold Glovers, Winn was able to tie the fewest error record by a full-time shortstop that was set by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1990 and later tied by Omar Vizquel in 2000.
Since its creation in 2011, two Cardinals have come away with the award for a total of six Platinum Gloves. The two Cardinals? Nolan Arenado and Yadier Molina, pretty prestigious company for the young Cardinal shortstop if he is able to sway the fan vote for the award.
The Platinum Glove will be awarded at the Gold Glove dinner on Friday night. Until then, do your duty, Cardinals fans, and help secure Winn his first of many.