By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
For the first time in their careers, two Royals are golden.
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and pitcher Seth Lugo took home Rawlings Gold Gloves at their respective positions in the American League, as announced Sunday on ESPN.
It’s the first Gold Glove for both, and the first time the Royals have had Gold Glove winners since 2021, when left fielder Andrew Benintendi and center fielder Michael A. Taylor took home the honors.
Witt is just the second Royals shortstop to earn the award since Alcides Escobar in 2015, while Lugo is the first pitcher since Bret Saberhagen in 1989 to be honored. The two Royals are among the 14 first-time winners of this year’s Gold Glove group — tied for most in a single year with 2022.
Witt beat out the Yankees’ Anthony Volpe (who won the award last year) and the Guardians’ Brayan Rocchio at AL shortstop. Witt led all AL shortstops with +16 Outs Above Average in 2024, which was tied with Francisco Lindor for second-best among MLB shortstops. According to Statcast, Witt prevented 12 runs.
Lugo beat out teammate Cole Ragans and Angels righty Griffin Canning for the AL pitcher’s Gold Glove. Lugo and Ragans helped the Royals have one of the best rotations in baseball in 2024, but they also both fielded their position well. Lugo, who turns 35 on Nov. 17, didn’t commit an error this year and was one of 10 AL pitchers to finish with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and make 30-plus starts. Lugo covered more innings (206 2/3) than anyone in that group.
The Royals have won 22 Gold Gloves since 2011, which is the most in the Majors across that span. Catcher Freddy Fermin was a finalist for the AL Gold Glove this year but lost to Seattle’s Cal Raleigh.
Fan voting is now open for the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, given annually to the best fielder in each league. In 2011, Rawlings unveiled the first-ever Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, a new fan-centric platform asking the game’s avid fans who the best defensive baseball player is among that season’s Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners. The last Royal to earn the Platinum Glove Award was Alex Gordon in 2020.
To vote on either Witt Jr. or Lugo for the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, you can visit https://www.rawlings.com/gold-glove-platinum.html
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