Gold Glove Awards Expose Rockies Defensive Drop-off

Ryan McMahon Earns Sixth Straight Gold Glove Nomination

There was rightful worry about third base when defensive stalwart Nolan Arenado was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021. But McMahon ensured there was no drop-off on defense. Now that McMahon has also been traded, it will be up to 23-year-old Kyle Karros to continue the incredible run of stellar defense at third in Colorado. McMahon showed the world how great he is at defense in the Yankees’ short postseason run. But this award recognized yet another incredible defensive regular season at third for McMahon.

Per Statcast, he was a stellar six outs above average (92nd percentile) and earned a seven fielding runs above average (86th percentile). Also nominated among National League third basemen are the Pittsburgh Pirates/Cincinnati Reds’ Ke’Bryan Hayes and the Chicago Cubs’ rookie Matt Shaw. Hayes posted an unbelievable  21 outs above average this season, and last won a Gold Glove in 2023.

It seems about right that McMahon’s possible first Gold Glove as a Rockie comes when he no longer wears the purple. It’s the fourth straight year that a Rockie has been nominated for the award. It is the first time since 2021 that a current Rockie was not nominated. Incredibly, excluding 2021, there has been at least one Rockie that has won the award since 2010. With two Rockies winning in 2024, 2018-17, 2014-13, and 2010.

The Rockies’ Historically Bad Defense

McMahon stood out on a historically bad defense for the Rockies. Per Fielding Bible, third base was the only position in which the Rockies came out in the positive with five defensive runs saved. Karros managed to hold the fort in the second half after McMahon was traded, earning an impressive four outs above average. Right field was a turnstile of poor defense for the Rockies. The position group was tied for last in DRS with the Minnesota Twins’ shortstops and Washington Nationals’ second basemen, posting -21 DRS.

The Rockies were the only team to have eight of their nine positions in the negative in DRS. Totaling a -59 DRS. The next worst was the Twins with -46. Painting a picture of just how awful this Rockies’ defense was. Per BaseballReference, the Rockies ranked a distant last in Major League Baseball this season with a .661 defensive efficiency. They were also last or second-to-last in several defensive categories, including:

• RA/G: 6.30
• Errors committed: 110
• Fielding percentage: .981

Spelling doom for a Rockies team that already had a league-worst starting rotation. The 110 errors were the most for the Rockies since 2016 (110). It was a steep drop off from last season. When center fielder Brenton Doyle and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar both won Gold Gloves. The Rockies had just 82 errors during the 2024 season and a .671 defensive efficiency. Per Fielding Bible, the Rockies were 14th in team defensive runs saved in 2024. Four positions were excellent defensively, resulting in a total of 20 DRS.

The Case of Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle

Defensive stalwarts Doyle and Tovar were not able to replicate their Gold Glove seasons this year. Due to recurring injuries, Tovar played in just 95 games, down from a combined 310 games in 2023-24. Per Statcast, Tovar had a stellar 15 outs above average and a 16 fielding run value in 2024 on the way to earning his first career Gold Glove. This season, it dropped to three in both categories, respectively. Tovar is crucial to the Rockies’ defensive success, and missing him for a large portion of the season was a glaring issue.

Meanwhile, Doyle’s six outs above average this season, while still elite, was a significant drop off from his 28 combined OAA in 2023-24. Doyle still had a stellar 11 fielding run value, good for 94th percentile league-wide. But Doyle has set an impossible standard for himself in the spacious outfield of Coors Field. Tovar’s injury issues seem more like an outlier than something that will continually be an issue going forward. Expect Doyle and Tovar to more closely resemble their Gold Glove seasons next year. Regardless, Doyle and Tovar are the least of the Rockies’ worries defensively in the future.

Outlook for Rockies Defense Next Season

The Rockies absolutely have to re-sign Mickey Moniak for the offensive production he brings. But Moniak was essentially a sieve defensively this season in the outfield. Per Statcast, Moniak’s -8 OAA and -12 fielding run value were both near the bottom of the MLB. He did not adjust well to defending at Coors. Moniak posted a respectable one OAA and one fielding run value in 2024 with the Los Angeles Angels. Fellow newcomer Tyler Freeman was about as bad. In 109 innings at second base, Freeman’s -13 OAA and -10 fielding run value were both in the bottom three percent league-wide. Like Moniak, this was far and away Freeman’s worst season defensively. In three prior seasons with the Guardians, Freeman never had a fielding run value lower than -2.

Expecting healthier and improved seasons from Doyle and Tovar, the Rockies’ defense will not be nearly as bad next season. But that is a low bar to clear. First base is still unclear for next season, while Karros has intriguing potential defensively at the hot corner. In addition to his career-year offensively, catcher Hunter Goodman was above average behind the plate with three blocks above average and a two-fielding run value. The Rockies can’t afford to keep Moniak and Freeman out of the lineup due to their consistent offensive production. But both will continue to be major liabilities defensively barring major turnarounds. The ceiling for the Rockies defensively is likely middle of the pack with a low floor due to the question mark at first base, along with Freeman and Moniak’s struggles.