This year marks the 20th annual Fielding Bible Awards, which SIS created in 2006 to honor the best defensive players in baseball. The Awards meant to go beyond recognizing the top player in each league and, in our view, it has accomplished that. The growth of both Defensive Runs Saved and other statistics have allowed us, teams, and fans to go well beyond the information previously available in evaluating a player’s skills.
Our next two Stat of the Weeks will focus on the top candidates for The 2025 Fielding Bible Awards, which will be announced later this month.
The Fielding Bible Awards is voted on by a panel of experts who can vote based on whatever criteria they choose, including observation and subjective judgement, as well as statistical analysis. Each position has one overall winner, different from the Gold Gloves which has one in each league.
This week, Part I of our preview looks at catchers and infielders from the perspective of the top Fielding Bible Awards and Gold Glove favorites and contenders.
(Defensive Runs Saved totals in parentheses)
Catcher
Fielding Bible Award Favorite: Patrick Bailey (19)
NL Gold Glove Favorite: Bailey
AL Gold Glove Favorites: Carlos Narváez (10), Adley Rutschman (10), Alejandro Kirk (9)
Other Fielding Bible Award Contenders: Freddy Fermin (13), Luis Torrens (11), Sean Murphy (10), Pedro Pages (9)
Patrick Bailey solidified his handle on the title of best defensive catcher in baseball this season as he led all catchers in Runs Saved for the second straight season. Bailey’s defensive excellence stems from pitch framing. He easily led catchers in our strike-getting stat, Strike Zone Runs Saved.
Bailey and Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez were the top two catchers in Runs Saved for much of the season. Narvaez is a favorite for the AL Gold Glove, as he led catchers in Stolen Base Runs Saved. Not bad for a guy picked up in a little-noticed trade from the Yankees last December. Alejandro Kirk is a credible candidate too. He ranks second among catchers in Runs Saved over the last three seasons.
First Baseman
Fielding Bible Award Favorite: Matt Olson (17)
NL Gold Glove Favorite: Olson
AL Gold Glove Favorites: Carlos Santana (11 w/ Guardians, 12 overall), Ty France (9)
Other Fielding Bible Award Contenders: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (8), Spencer Steer (8), Jonathan Aranda (7)
Matt Olson is highly likely to snag his fifth Fielding Bible Award, which would match Albert Pujols for most by a first baseman. Olson easily led the position in Runs Saved, posting a career high total while playing in 162 games for the fourth straight season. He showed great range as usual, particularly on balls hit to his right. His 145 assists easily led the position.
In the American League, Carlos Santana won his first Gold Glove as a 38-year-old last year. He has a reasonable shot at winning this year too.
By the way: Of the 15 first basemen who played the most innings this season, 10 had a negative Runs Saved. It was tough to play that position a lot and be good defensively this season .
Second Baseman
Fielding Bible Award Favorite: Nico Hoerner (17)
NL Gold Glove Favorite: Hoerner
AL Gold Glove Favorites: Andrés Giménez (9), Luis Rengifo (5), Marcus Semien (5)
Other Fielding Bible Award Contenders: Xavier Edwards (12), Brice Turang (7)
Nico Hoerner had by far his best defensive season as a second baseman per his 17 Runs Saved. He won a Gold Glove two years ago and he has a good chance to graduate to a Fielding Bible Award in 2025. Xavier Edwards of the Marlins was the only other eligible second baseman in double digits in Runs Saved (Ernie Clement also had 10, but his Fielding Bible eligibility is third base).
Though Andrés Giménez was injured and also spent some time at shortstop, he posted the most Runs Saved of any eligible AL second baseman and we wouldn’t be surprised if he wins his fourth straight Gold Glove.
Shortstop
Fielding Bible Award Favorite: Mookie Betts (17), Taylor Walls (17), Corey Seager (16)
NL Gold Glove Favorite: Betts
AL Gold Glove Favorites: Walls, Seager
Other Fielding Bible Award Contenders: Zach Neto (13), Nick Allen (12), Dansby Swanson (7), Otto Lopez (7), Bobby Witt Jr. (3)
Mookie Betts won 5 Fielding Bible Awards as a right fielder and another for Multi-Position excellence. One more Award would give him 7, the most of any player in what will be the 20-year history of the Awards. Betts and Taylor Walls tied for the Runs Saved lead at the position. Betts did it over 148 games. Walls’ season was shortened by injury in August. Corey Seager also has a chance at the Award. He had by far the best Runs Saved total of his career in 2025.
There’s good competition for the Gold Glove in both leagues, particularly from Zach Neto of the Angels and Nick Allen of the Braves. Bobby Witt Jr. could also swoop in and take the AL honor. He rated more highly in other defensive metrics than he did in Runs Saved.
Third Baseman
Fielding Bible Award Favorite: Ke’Bryan Hayes (19)
NL Gold Glove Favorite: Hayes
AL Gold Glove Favorites: Maikel Garcia (13), Ernie Clement (11)
Other Fielding Bible Award Contenders: Matt Shaw (12), Ryan McMahon (10), Nolan Arenado (6), Matt Chapman (5)
Ke’Bryan Hayes, who led the position in Defensive Runs Saved, is highly likely to win his 3rd Fielding Bible Award, his 2nd in the last three years. He was again great fielding balls hit down the third base line. He made only one throw all season that required a Good Fielding Play from his first baseman.
Hayes, who has always been good at minimizing mistakes, had 16 Defensive Misplays & Errors this season. That’s actually two fewer than he had in 2024 when he played in 56 fewer games.
Maikel Garcia and Ernie Clement make for a tough call for the AL Gold Glove at third base. Clement’s potential path to a Fielding Bible Award also comes via our Multi-Position Award, which we’ll detail next week. Garcia came on strong at the end of the season, sharing Defensive Player of the Month honors in August. He had a 10-run jump in Runs Saved from 2024 to 2025.
Next week we’ll look at outfielders, pitchers, and the multi-position award.
