Angels News: David Fletcher, Jared Walsh Among Gold Glove Finalists

All season long, Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon was not shy in his belief that David Fletcher should be a Gold Glove winner at second base. Now, with the finalists being announced on Thursday, Fletcher — as well as Jared Walsh — will have their chance to prove Maddon right.

Fletcher and Walsh were the only two Angels among the finalists for the 2021 Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The Gold Glove is the defensive version of the Silver Slugger, as the best defensive players at each position in each league are awarded.

The Angels started the 2021 season with unexpectedly bad defense. However, when Albert Pujols was designated for assignment and Walsh became the every day first baseman, things started to clean up a little more. Even as injuries created a revolving door at most positions, Fletcher and Walsh held things down at their positions.

According to Baseball Savant, Fletcher was in the 95th percentile in Outs Above Average. Meanwhile, he had a .990 fielding percentage at second base, and ranked third in putouts and assists from the position. He also ranked second in double plays completed.

Walsh, on the other hand, did not rank well in advanced metrics, coming in at the 12th percentile of Outs Above Average. However, his standard numbers fare much better for him, with a .995 fielding percentage at first base, a positive defensive runs saved above average, and nearly 100 double plays turned.

Fletcher is nominated alongside Whit Merrifield of the Kansas City Royals and Marcus Semien of the Toronto Blue Jays. In the AL Second Base category, Merrifield is likely considered to be the frontrunner.

Meanwhile, Walsh joins Matt Olson of the Oakland Athletics and Yuli Gurriel of the Houston Astros. Like Fletcher, Walsh is not the frontrunner at his position, with Olson being the more likely winner.

The full list of finalists can be seen below.

Rawlings Gold Glove finalists

American League

Pitcher:
José Berríos, Blue Jays
Zack Greinke, Astros
Dallas Keuchel, White Sox

Catcher:
Martín Maldonado, Astros
Sean Murphy, A’s
Salvador Perez, Royals

First Base:
Yuli Gurriel, Astros
Matt Olson, A’s
Jared Walsh, Angels

Second Base:
David Fletcher, Angels
Whit Merrifield, Royals
Marcus Semien, Blue Jays

Third Base:
Matt Chapman, A’s
José Ramírez, Indians
Joey Wendle, Rays

Shortstop:
Carlos Correa, Astros
J.P. Crawford, Mariners
Andrelton Simmons, Twins

Left Field:
Randy Arozarena, Rays
Andrew Benintendi, Royals
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Blue Jays

Center Field:
Kevin Kiermaier, Rays
Myles Straw, Indians
Michael A. Taylor, Royals

Right Field:
Hunter Renfroe, Red Sox
Kyle Tucker, Astros
Joey Gallo, Yankees

National League

Pitcher:
Zach Davies, Cubs
Max Fried, Braves
Zack Wheeler, Phillies