When the finalists for the 2024 MLB Gold Glove Awards were announced on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Phillies made a strong showing with four players receiving nominations. Representing the team among the finalists were first baseman Bryce Harper, second baseman Bryson Stott, left fielder Brandon Marsh, and pitcher Zack Wheeler. This recognition was a testament to the Phillies’ commitment to defensive excellence, which played a significant role in their overall performance this season. Each of these players had a standout year on defense, further bolstering their reputations as some of the best in their respective positions.
However, one name conspicuously missing from the list of nominees was starting pitcher Ranger Suárez. Despite a season that saw him face challenges, including injuries and inconsistencies in the second half, Suárez put up a performance that many believe should have earned him a nomination for the prestigious Gold Glove. His overall statistics certainly reflect a solid season. He finished with a 12-8 record, a 3.46 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and tallied 145 strikeouts over 150 2/3 innings pitched. Though these numbers speak to his value as a pitcher, it’s his defensive prowess that makes his omission from the Gold Glove finalists particularly notable.
Suárez began the season as one of the top pitchers in the league, and his defense on the mound was equally impressive. Fielding his position with precision and consistency, Suárez’s contributions on defense were often critical in tight games. One of the key metrics used to measure a pitcher’s defensive value is Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). Suárez tied for third among National League pitchers with 5 DRS, a statistic that highlights his ability to prevent runs through his defensive skills. This placed him on par with one of the other finalists, Luis Severino of the New York Mets, who also recorded 5 DRS. Meanwhile, Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, another nominee, ranked sixth with 4 DRS, and Wheeler, his Phillies teammate, was tied for eleventh with 3 DRS.
In addition to his strong DRS rating, Suárez showcased impeccable fielding throughout the season. He maintained a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage over the course of 30+ total chances and more than 150 innings pitched. This flawless defense stands in stark contrast to Severino, who posted a .886 fielding percentage and committed five errors on 44 chances. The comparison between the two pitchers makes Suárez’s absence from the list of finalists even more perplexing. Despite his superior defensive performance in key areas, Suárez was overlooked in favor of pitchers whose defensive stats, on paper, were less impressive.
A closer look at the selection process for the Gold Glove Awards might provide some insight into this omission. The SABR Defensive Index (SDI), which accounts for 25% of the voting, evaluates a player’s overall defensive performance using a combination of advanced metrics. These metrics go beyond just DRS, encompassing a variety of defensive factors such as range, arm strength, and the ability to turn double plays. It’s possible that Suárez didn’t fare as well in some of these other areas according to the SDI, but his perfect fielding percentage and ability to save runs should have been enough to warrant serious consideration. Many Phillies fans, analysts, and even some players themselves have expressed confusion and disappointment over Suárez being left out of the mix.
Zack Wheeler, on the other hand, earned a well-deserved nomination, putting him in elite company with Severino and Sale. Wheeler’s defensive performance, while solid, did not quite match Suárez’s in terms of DRS or fielding percentage, yet his overall consistency and value as a pitcher clearly impressed the voters. Wheeler has long been a cornerstone of the Phillies’ pitching staff, and his defensive contributions have often flown under the radar, making this nomination a nice acknowledgment of his all-around game.
For Suárez, missing out on a Gold Glove nomination might sting, but it does not diminish his value to the Phillies or his reputation as one of the better defensive pitchers in the National League. His ability to control the mound, field his position, and contribute to the team’s overall success was critical throughout the season. Many Phillies fans and baseball insiders are well aware of just how vital Suárez’s defense was, and they may feel that the Gold Glove voting process doesn’t always capture the full picture of a player’s contributions.
In a season filled with ups and downs, Suárez’s performance was a bright spot, particularly given the challenges he faced. His absence from the Gold Glove finalist list may be one of the more surprising aspects of the 2024 awards, but there is no doubt that his defensive prowess is appreciated in Philadelphia and beyond. Going forward, Suárez will likely continue to be a key player for the Phillies, and his defensive excellence may earn him the recognition he deserves in future seasons. Meanwhile, the Phillies’ four nominees will compete for one of baseball’s most prestigious honors, and fans will be watching closely to see how many Gold Gloves the team can bring home in 2024.