The Texas Rangers’ historic defensive prowess during their World Series run has now been recognized and rewarded. On Sunday, catcher Jonah Heim, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, and right fielder Adolis García were all named AL Gold Glove award winners. This commendation highlights the team’s exceptional defensive abilities that played a significant role in their journey to their first-ever World Series title.
Heim secured the Gold Glove award at catcher, surpassing formidable competitors Alejandro Kirk of the Toronto Blue Jays and Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles. Notably, Heim ranked third league-wide with an impressive 10 catcher runs framed. Additionally, he displayed his defensive skills by throwing out a career-high 22 of 80 attempted base stealers, achieving a 27.5% caught stealing rate that ranked second among all AL catchers. Heim’s contributions were invaluable to the Rangers, who relied on his presence behind the plate throughout the playoffs.
Lowe emerged as the AL Gold Glove winner at first base, outshining Ryan Mountcastle of the Baltimore Orioles and Anthony Rizzo of the New York Yankees. Lowe’s defensive runs saved (3) ranked first at his position throughout the league, while his outs above average (5) came in second. Impressively, he committed only two fielding errors during the regular season, the second-fewest among qualified AL first basemen. Lowe’s defensive transformation from last year is particularly noteworthy, as he went from being among the worst statistical first basemen in the AL to earning his first Gold Glove award.
García, the ALCS MVP, solidified his exceptional performance with an AL Gold Glove victory in right field. His outstanding outfield assists, totaling 11 for the season, tied for the third-most in the AL. Additionally, García’s defensive runs saved (7) and ultimate zone rating (6.4) both ranked third among all right fielders in baseball. His throwing arm was aptly showcased during Game 3 of the World Series when he successfully threw out Arizona’s Christian Walker at home plate, helping the Rangers secure a 3-1 victory.
Although second baseman Marcus Semien and shortstop Corey Seager were both finalists at their respective positions, they narrowly missed out on winning Gold Glove awards. Semien lost to Cleveland second baseman Andrés Giménez, while Seager, the World Series MVP, was defeated by New York rookie Anthony Volpe. Despite not receiving the accolade, both players showcased remarkable defensive performances throughout the season.
The Rangers’ defensive prowess was a vital component of their successful World Series campaign. These Gold Glove award winners, along with the team’s overall exceptional defensive capabilities, played a significant role in their road to victory. With their defensive talents now recognized at the highest level, the Rangers can celebrate their achievements and look ahead to future success.
