Raleigh, Moore earn first Gold Glove Awards with stellar defense in 2024
Daniel Kramer
@DKramer_SEATTLE -- Cal Raleigh finally earned the well-deserved recognition of his status as one of the best defensive catchers in today¡¯s game, while Dylan Moore was honored for his elite defensive versatility, as each was named a Gold Glove Award winner for 2024 on Sunday.
It¡¯s the first such recognition for each of Raleigh and Moore. It¡¯s also the first time that the Mariners have had multiple winners in the same year since shortstop J.P. Crawford and first baseman Evan White in 2020, and it¡¯s the first time in a full 162-game season since right fielder Ichiro Suzuki and Franklin Gutierrez in 2010.
Raleigh, a second-time finalist, became the first catcher in franchise history to take home the hardware, edging out Detroit¡¯s Jake Rogers and Kansas City¡¯s Freddy Fermin among the American League finalists. Moore was selected at the utility position, over Houston¡¯s Mauricio Dub¨®n and Minnesota¡¯s Willi Castro.
Raleigh led all MLB catchers in games caught (135) and innings caught (1,122), underscoring his value in volume, but he also excelled in virtually all defensive facets, including suppressing basestealers, framing and game-calling.
For the second straight year, Raleigh led MLB in catcher caught stealings, with 26. He is the third catcher in history to lead the Majors in catcher caught stealings over consecutive seasons, joining Hall of Famer Gary Carter (1982-83) and Jim Sundberg (who tied for the MLB lead in 1975 before leading outright in ¡®76).
Raleigh also led AL catchers in framing runs (13), and he tied for the AL lead in defensive runs saved (17).
Raleigh also led the Mariners¡¯ pitching staff to a 3.30 ERA while he was behind the plate, the best catcher ERA in the Majors among qualified catchers. Many among that staff bestowed as much credit on Raleigh as anyone else for their success.
Moore, a first-time finalist, played six defensive positions in 2024 -- shortstop (49 games), third base (45), second base (37), left field (22), first base (11) and center field (1) -- with only five errors in 401 total chances, good for a .988 fielding percentage. Moore¡¯s value became even more pronounced when filling in as the starter for Crawford while he was sidelined for multiple IL stints of an extended stretch, and second baseman Jorge Polanco, who dealt with knee and hamstring issues at separate points.
Down the stretch, Moore served as the righty hitter in a platoon at third base.
The Gold Glove Awards are presented by Rawlings annually, honoring the best defenders at each position in both the AL and NL since 1957. Major League managers and coaches vote within their league, accounting for 75% of the selection process, while the other 25% is conducted by the sabermetrics community.
The Mariners had at least one player win a Gold Glove in 24 consecutive seasons from 1987¨C2010, beginning with Mark Langston¡¯s Gold Glove at pitcher in 1987. Overall, Seattle players have captured 44 Gold Gloves, including 29 since 1998.