Salvy, Gordo named Gold Glove finalists

Salvador Perez was named as a finalist for the 2018 Gold Glove at catcher, with a chance to win the fifth Gold Glove of his career. Perez previously won every season from 2013 to 2016, and was also a finalist in 2012 and 2017. He lost last year to then-Angels catcher Martin Maldonado.

Maldonado is a finalist again, this time with the Astros, along with Indians catcher Yan Gomes. Perez was third among all catchers in Defensive WAR, according to Baseball Reference, and second in defense among catchers according to Fangraphs. He caught 48% of potential base-stealers, second in baseball behind only Maldonado.

Joining Perez as a finalist is Royals left-fielder Alex Gordon. Gordon is a five-time winner, taking home an award every year from 2011 to 2014, and again in 2017. In 2014, he won the Platinum Award for the top defender overall. Gordon is a finalist against Brett Gardner of the Yankees and Andrew Benintendi of the Red Sox.

Gordon was third among all left-fielders in Defensive WAR and led all left-fielders in defense according to Fangraphs. His Defensive Runs Saved in left was 18, his best season in that category since 2014, and his nine assists were the third-most among left-fielders in baseball.

Former Royals Lorenzo Cain, Zack Greinke, Jon Jay, and Manny Pina were also finalists. The awards are based on a combination of votes from managers and coaches and the SABR Defensive Index, a fielding metric. The Gold Glove Award winners will be announced on November 4.

The complete list of finalists:

American League

Pitcher: Dallas Keuchel, HOU; Corey Kluber, CLE; Masahiro Tanaka, NYY

Catcher: Yan Gomes, CLE; Martin Maldonado, HOU; Salvador Perez, KCR

First base: Mitch Moreland, TEX; Matt Olson, OAK; Justin Smoak, TOR

Second base: Ian Kinsler, BOS; Jed Lowrie, OAK; Rougned Odor, TEX

Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, CLE; Marcus Semien, OAK; Andrelton Simmons, LAA

Third base: Alex Bregman, HOU; Matt Chapman, OAK; Jose Ramirez, CLE

Left-field: Andrew Benintendi, BOS; Brett Gardner, NYY; Alex Gordon, KCR

Center-field: Jackie Bradley, Jr, BOS; Adam Engel, CHW; Mike Trout, LAA

Right-field: Mookie Betts, BOS; Kole Calhoun, LAA; Aaron Judge, NYY

National League

Pitcher: Zack Greinke, ARI; Clayton Richard, SDP; Julio Teheran, ATL

Catcher: Yadier Molina, STL; Manny Pina, MIL; Buster Posey, SFG

First base: Freddie Freeman, ATL; Anthony Rizzo, CHC; Joey Votto, CIN

Second base: Javier Baez, CHC; D.J. LeMahieu, COL; Kolten Wong, STL

Shortstop: Nick Ahmed, ARI; Brandon Crawford, SFG; Freddy Galvis, SDP

Third base: Nolan Arenado, COL; Anthony Rendon, WSN; Travis Shaw, MIL

Left-field: Corey Dickerson, PIT; Adam Duvall, ATL; Christian Yelich, MIL

Center-field: Lorenzo Cain, MIL; Billy Hamilton, CIN; Ender Inciarte, ATL

Right-field: Jason Heyward, CHC; Jon Jay, ARI; Nick Markakis, ATL