Our MLB Defensive Players of the Month for August are outfielders Zach McKinstry (Tigers), Jackson Chourio (Brewers), and Wade Meckler (Angels).

McKinstry and Chourio tied for the MLB lead in Defensive Runs Saved for the month with 7 and Meckler was one of a few players just behind them with 6. The key for each of them was limiting mistakes. Each had only 1 Defensive Misplay or Error for the entire month.

Zach McKinstry

Best known as being a utility player, McKinstry spent most of his month in right field and was kept busy. He had 5 assists in his last seven games there in August, including a pair on the final day of the month (here’s a “pretty good one“). McKinstry made some nice catches too, like this sliding one in the right field corner against Colson Montgomery.

McKinstry ranks fourth among right fielders with 8 Runs Saved despite ranking 36th in innings played there. He also has 1 Run Saved in 34 games at shortstop and 1 in 43 games played at second base. Only two other players in major league history have played at least 30 games at those three positions in the same season, Ben Zobrist (2012 Rays) and Josh Rojas (2021 Diamondbacks).

Jackson Chourio

Chourio led all left fielders with 6 Runs Saved for the month, highlighted by this catch against Brooks Lee of the Twins. Success at a corner outfield spot isn’t new to him. He had 9 Runs Saved in 63 games in right field in 2024. He now has 6 in left field this season, which ranks sixth.

For the season Brewers left fielders have been pretty good. Their 10 Runs Saved ranks tied for second.

This is the second straight month that a Brewers player has won Defensive Player of the Month. Brice Turang was one of our July winners and had a pretty good August too, leading second basemen with 6 Runs Saved.

Wade Meckler

Meckler played only 7 games in right field in August but boy did the ball ever find him. He robbed two potential go-ahead three-run home runs, the first by Corey Seager of the Rangers in the seventh inning of a tie game. The second in the ninth inning against Bryson Stott and the Phillies with the Angels ahead by two runs (never mind that the catch only temporarily saved the lead).

Other than that it was a rather uneventful month for Meckler. He had 0 Runs Saved in his primary position, left field. Nonetheless, despite being tied for 10th among Angels position players in games played, he’s third among them with 2.1 Wins Above Replacement thanks in part to his defense.

It’s a coincidence that Meckler had 6 Runs Saved for the month and robbed two potential three-run home runs. Within Runs Saved, home run robberies are generally worth about 1.6 runs, accounting for the average value of any home run.

Previous winners of Defensive Player of the Month this season are:

April– Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs CF), Cole Young (Mariners 2B)

May- Andy Pages (Dodgers CF), Ceddanne Rafaela (Red Sox CF), JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals 2B)

June- Junior Caminero (Rays 3B), Joe Mack (Marlins C), Brayan Rocchio (Guardians SS)

July- Isaac Collins (Royals LF), A.J. Ewing (Mets CF), Brice Turang (Brewers 2B)