Sep 12, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) makes a throw to first to complete a double play as Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) slide into second in the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Colorado Rockies Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar Makes History By Snagging Gold Glove

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Sam Connon | Last updated Nov 4, 2024 10:00 AM ET

The Colorado Rockies gave Ezequiel Tovar a contract extension on the eve of the 2024 regular season, committing to the young shortstop for the foreseeable future.

Tovar made sure the Rockies got their money's worth, cashing in on his deal by making history right off the bat.

Rawlings Baseball revealed the 2024 Gold Glove Award winners on Sunday, and Tovar claimed the honor among National League shortstops. Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle also won a Gold Glove, doing so for the second year in a row.

Tovar, who was named a finalist back on Oct. 15, beat out the Chicago Cubs' Dansby Swanson and St. Louis Cardinals rookie Masyn Winn. Swanson was the NL's Gold Glove shortstop in 2023, when Tovar was a finalist as a rookie.

At 23 years old, Tovar is the youngest Gold Glove shortstop in NL history.

Ezequiel Tovar is the youngest Gold Glove shortstop in National League history. pic.twitter.com/XF3o7z8DUC
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) November 4, 2024

Tovar finished the season in the 94th percentile in Fielding Run Value and the 98th percentile in Outs Above Average, according to Baseball Savant. He put up a 1.9 defensive WAR and nine defensive runs saved.

There have now been 10 Rockies players and three Rockies shortstops who have won a Gold Glove since the franchise played its inaugural season in 1993. Neifi Pérez did so in 2000, while Troy Tulowitzki claimed the hardware in both 2010 and 2011.

At the plate, Tovar set career highs across the board in 2024. He hit .269 with 26 home runs, 78 RBI, six stolen bases, a .763 OPS and a 3.7 WAR, leading the NL with 655 at-bats and 45 doubles.

Colorado's front office locked Tovar down on a seven-year, $63.5 million contract in March, meaning he will have plenty more opportunities to win Gold Gloves and improve offensively throughout the remainder of the decade.