Hayes wins NL Gold Glove at 3B, ending Arenado's 10-year run
This browser does not support the video element.
PITTSBURGH -- At long last, Ke'Bryan Hayes has earned the National League Gold Glove Award at third base.
The announcement was made during ESPN¡¯s special ¡°Baseball Tonight¡± broadcast on Sunday dedicated to revealing the winners. It is Hayes¡¯ first Gold Glove Award, and he is the first Pirates third baseman to win a Gold Glove.
This browser does not support the video element.
It was inevitable that Hayes, who debuted in September 2020, would win this award. Advanced metrics have backed up his amazing highlights throughout the beginning of his career.
As Hayes¡¯ father -- former Major Leaguer Charlie Hayes -- likes to say, ¡°No glove, no love.¡± Now, his 26-year-old son is getting the long-deserved love for his defense.
This browser does not support the video element.
Hayes¡¯ win ends Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado¡¯s streak of 10 straight Gold Glove Awards, which was tied with Ichiro Suzuki for the most to begin an MLB career.
Arenado defeated Hayes for the award in 2022 despite Pittsburgh¡¯s third baseman having a better defensive rating than Arenado per FanGraphs (16.8 vs. 15.1), a better fielding run value than Arenado (14 vs. 11), more defensive runs saved than Arenado (24 vs. 19) and more outs above average than Arenado (18 vs. 14).
The sentiment among Pirates fans was summed up by manager Derek Shelton when pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training in 2023: ¡°Disappointed. Frustrated. I think [Hayes] should have won it.¡±
This browser does not support the video element.
There was no argument this year, as Arenado had an uncharacteristically poor defensive campaign. Hayes¡¯ 21 defensive runs saved were miles ahead of Arenado¡¯s one, and Hayes¡¯ fielding run value of 13 eclipsed Arenado¡¯s fielding run value of four. Hayes¡¯ 2.4 defensive WAR, per Baseball-Reference, was the best by any third baseman in MLB.
Going back further, Hayes had an argument to win the award in 2021, his rookie season. But injuries limited him to 96 games, and his low innings total effectively barred him from the Gold Glove conversation, though he won the Fielding Bible Award at third base that season. He won that honor a second time this year -- not to mention the Fielding Bible Defensive Player of the Year Award, among all positions in both leagues.
This browser does not support the video element.
Speaking of which, the Platinum Glove Award winners will be unveiled at the Rawlings Gold Glove Award Ceremony on Friday. Hayes has an argument to earn that honor, as well.
Just as important to the Pirates -- who signed Hayes to an eight-year contract in 2022 -- the Gold Glove in ¡¯23 came alongside an improvement on offense. Hayes slashed .271/.309/.453 (105 OPS+) with 31 doubles, seven triples and 15 homers in 124 games.
¡°We're seeing the complete player,¡± Shelton said of Hayes in late September. ¡°He's a guy that can do so many things that can impact the game in so many different ways."
With how easy he makes exceptional defense look, it¡¯s worth asking if this is a passing of the torch moment from Arenado to Hayes. Either way, the NL Central is home to two of baseball¡¯s best defensive third basemen. Expect a show.