Anybody paying attention understood that Clint Frazier’s defense took a step forward in 2020. But by defensive metrics, Frazier improved vastly — so much so that he is among three candidates for an AL Rawlings Gold Glove in right field.
Managers and coaches didn’t see players outside of their regions in the 60-game season this year, so the Gold Glove will be decided by defensive metrics.
Frazier played in 28 games in right (27 starts) and committed one error in 51 chances. Where Frazier showed marked improvement was the way he approached fly balls and ground balls. In 2019, he was often unsure on his feet going back on fly balls and coming up to throw on ground balls. Those traits weren’t evident this past season, but Aaron Judge and Mike Tauchman still are better right fielders than Frazier.
Frazier joins the Rangers’ Joey Gallo and the Orioles’ Anthony Santander on the right-field list.
Gio Urshela is the Yankees’ only other Gold Glove candidate. The slick-fielding third baseman is joined by the Rangers’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Yoan Moncada of the White Sox.
Surprisingly, DJ LeMahieu, who won three Gold Gloves at second base with the Rockies, isn’t among the four second basemen listed for this year’s award. Cesar Hernandez (Indians), Danny Mendick (White Sox), Jonathan Schoop (Tigers) and Nicky Lopez (Royals) are on the list.