For the first time since 2012, the Oakland A's have a Gold Glove Award winner. They actually have two.
Third baseman Matt Chapman and first baseman Matt Olson each snagged their first career Gold Glove Sunday night.
Chapman beat out Houston's Alex Bregman and Cleveland's Jose Ramirez at third base. The 25-year-old led all of baseball with 29 defensive runs saved and a 19.5 SABR Defensive Index rating.
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“It’s an honor to win this prestigious award," Chapman said in a statement released by the A's on Sunday evening. "We all work to be the best at what we do and I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to combine my ability with hard work. I want to thank Bob Melvin and all of the coaches who have helped me get to where I am today, especially Matt Williams who has helped me reach the next level. Lastly, I want to thank the Oakland A’s for giving me this opportunity. I am forever grateful.”
Chapman led all third basemen with a 10.9 ultimate zone rating and .853 zone rating. He becomes the first A's third baseman to win a Gold Glove since Eric Chavez in 2006.
Olson defeated Boston's Mitch Moreland and Toronto's Justin Smoak at first base. The 24-year-old led AL first basemen with a 5.8 SABR Defensive Index rating, 14 defensive runs saved, a .913 zone rating, and 11.6 ultimate zone rating.
"It's definitely nice," Olson told reporters on a conference call. "First base doesn't necessarily get the glory that some other positions do, and that's more than fine, but to be able to go out and have a good year defensively like I did, it's nice to get that recognition. ... I've always been pretty confident in my defensive ability. It's something that I've kind of naturally had growing up. So I knew I could definitely have the potential to be a Gold Glove first baseman, not necessarily in my first full year."
Olson was the only first baseman in the majors to play in all 162 regular season games. He is the first A's first baseman to win a Gold Glove since Mark McGwire in 1990.
A's shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Jed Lowrie were Gold Glove Award finalists but came up short of making it an Oakland sweep. The Angels' Andrelton Simmons got the nod at shortstop, while Boston's Ian Kinsler won at second base.
Chapman and Olson will now have a chance to win the Platinum Glove Award, given to the top defender in each league regardless of position. Fans can vote for one of the nine Gold Glove Award winners to determine the Platinum Glove winner. No A's player has won a Platinum Glove since it was established in 2011.