The 2018 Defensive Player of the Year Awards were unveiled on Wednesday evening on MLB Network. The award, created in 2012, determines winners “using a formula that combines traditional defensive stats with advanced metrics, as well as the data logged by the baseball experts working for the scouting service Inside Edge,” according to MLB. The award started out splitting the leagues similar to Gold Gloves, but has been unified since 2014.
The winners:
- C: Mike Zunino, Mariners
- 1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves
- 2B: DJ LeMahieu, Rockies
- 3B: Matt Chapman, Athletics
- SS: Andrelton Simmons, Angels
- LF: Alex Gordon, Royals
- CF: Kevin Kiermaier, Rays
- RF: Mookie Betts, Red Sox
- P: Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks
Best Overall Defensive Player: Matt Chapman, Athletics
Defensive Team of the Year: Arizona Diamondbacks
Most of these players, with the exception of Zunino and Kiermaier, were also 2018 Gold Glove Award winners as well, which isn’t surprising. Chapman over Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, both for the position-specific award and for the “Best Overall Defensive Player” award, might be controversial. Chapman, however, played reeeeeally good defense at third base, it just went under the radar since he plays for the Athletics.
For the D-Backs, it’s the second time they earned the “Defensive Team of the Year” award.
