The 2024 Major League Baseball season is about to announce the teams that will compete for the World Series championship. And recently the MLB announced the list of finalists for the Gold Glove of the campaign, an award that rewards the best defensive player at each position.
Among the long list of finalists, three for each position, there are several figures, including up to 17 Latin Americans. Venezuela is the Latin American country with the most finalists, with up to six names among shortstops, outfielders, and catchers.
In addition to the five Dominicans who appear on the list, in which Juan Soto stands out, there are also four Venezuelans, three Mexicans, one Puerto Rican, one Cuban, and one Honduran.
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Latin American finalists for the Golden Glove
Among the finalists are six Venezuelans. Andres Gimenez is one of the most notable, as he won the Golden Glove in 2023 and this year he seems to be able to repeat the award.
Accompanying him at second base is Dominican Ketel Marte in the National League. While at first base stands out Dominican Carlos Santana of the Twins. At catcher, Venezuela is again present with Freddy Fermin in the American League with the Royals and Gabriel Moreno in the National League with the D-Backs.
American League
Second base
Gimenez, who currently plays in the postseason for the Guardians, is a two-time Gold Glove winner at second base, including last year when he was also chosen as the winner of the Platinum Glove, as the best defensive player in the American League.
Right garden
Soto returned this year to right field with the Yankees and managed to combine good offensive work with his 10 defensive assists, competing in this position with Venezuelan Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox, who was the leader in saved runs (18).
Pitcher
In addition to his work as a pitcher, Lugo contributed to the Royals’s success with his defensive work.
Receiver
Venezuelan Freddy Fermin was another star for the Royals who showed his defensive qualities to push them to the postseason for the first time since 2015.
First base
Twins’s Carlos Santana was one of the best first basemen in the Major Leagues on both sides of the ball, which has him competing for this distinction.
Third base
Dominican Jose Ramirez is a source of balance on both sides of the game for the Guardians, who in addition to carrying the offensive load, leads them from third base on defense.
Shortstop
Venezuelan Brayan Rocchio is an essential part of a solid Guardians defense that has them in the fight for the American League Division Series.
Left garden
Alex Verdugo, in his first season with the Yankees, has complemented Soto with the best defensive corners in the New York outfield.
Central garden
Mexican Jarren Duran was one of the bright spots in the Red Sox’s difficult season.
Utility
Honduran Mauricio Dubon of the Astros is looking to win his second consecutive award, in a race in which Puerto Rican Willi Castro of the Twins has also made his case.
National League
Dominican Luis Severino, who will start for the Mets this Wednesday in the postseason, showed his qualities with the glove during the season.
Receiver
Diamondbacks’s Gabriel Moreno will try to become the first catcher to repeat the award in the National League since Yadier Molina.
Second base
Dominican Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks had a solid year with the Arizona team, which he could crown with his first Gold Glove.
Shortstop
Venezuelan Ezequiel Tovar has stood out in his defensive work with the Rockies.
Left garden
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. maintained above-average defense with the Diamondbacks.
Utility
Puerto Rican Kike Hernandez has proven his worth, responding in every position in the infield or outfield that the Dodgers have placed him in.
Other finalists:
Third base
National: Nolan Arenado, Matt Chapman and Ryan McMahon.
American: Alex Bregman and Ernie Clement.
Shortstop
National: Dansby Swanson and Masyn Winn.
American: Anthony Volpe and Bobby Witt Jr.
Left garden
National: Ian Happ and Brandon Marsh.
American: Colton Cowser and Steven Kwan.
Central garden
National: Brenton Doyle, Blake Perkins, and Jacob Young.
American: Jake Meyers and Daulton Varsho.
Right garden
National: Sal Frelick, Jake McCarthy and Mike Yastrzemski.
American: Jo Adell.
First base
National: Bryce Harper, Matt Olson and Christian Walker.
American: Nathaniel Lowe and Ryan Mountcastle.
Second base
National: Bryson Stott, Phillies, and Brice Turang, Brewers.
American: Nicky Lopez and Marcus Semien.
Utility
National: Brendan Donovan and Jared Triolo.
American: Dylan Moore.
