Four Atlanta Braves among Gold Glove finalists for 2022

Can Fried three-peat?

Pitcher fielding is the most nebulous of all positions because infielders tell them to get out of the way and generally don’t want the pitcher touching it. That said, Fried has shown himself a superb defender on many occasions and could probably play first again in a pinch. However, statistics don’t support him this year.

Fangraphs shows Ranger Suarez with nine DRS, but he didn’t make the SDI list, leaving Tyler Anderson and Corbin Burnes as competition for Max.

Signs point to Anderson, who has five DRS and an SDI of 4.0, compared to Burnes’ four DRS and 2.3 SDI. Fried sits third with three DRS and a 2.0 SDI,

The vote will come down to reputation, and the weight voters give to SDI. Statistically, there’s nothing to choose, and Fried’s two previous wins could sway the voters . . . or they could feel sorry for Burnes being on the Brewers . . . or they could have an LA state of mind. I think Burnes could sneak it, but I’ll vote for Max.

Will Atlanta Braves Swanson win?

I understand many have mixed feelings about Dansby, but he had a superb year defensively, but is it enough to beat San Diego’s Ha-Seong Kim and the Marlins’ Miguel Rojas?

Fangraphs shows Rojas with 15 DRS, 4.9 UZR, and 10 OAA, but only 13.4 in their comprehensive Defense stat.

Kim slides in with 10 DRS, a 4.7 DRS, six OAA, and 9.2 defense, and Swanson, who shows only nine DRS and 1.1 UZR but boasts 20 OAA is tops in their defense stat with 21.3

Kim sits on top of qualifiers for SDI with 7.4, followed by Swanson with 6.5 and Rojas breathing down Dansby’s neck at 6.1.

I believe Swanson wins the Gold Glove. Outs Above Average carry a lot of weight right now, and having a big lead over the second-place competitor is a powerful argument in his favor. Add to that the way he played and led a team that won the division, and I think the award belongs to Dansby.

That’s a wrap

Fried’s reputation may carry him to a third win, but Anderson or Burnes could easily come out on top.

Swanson’s defense was an important part of the Atlanta Braves winning the division. His 20 OAA and 15 RAA led MLB, and he did it on a team with a .700 record from June 1 through September 30.

No shortstop had a better year with the glove, not Turner, not Bogaerts, not Correa, or Lindor, and he played more innings than any of them.