Photo by Roberto Carlo

Rawlings announced Tuesday that they will begin awarding Gold Gloves to utility players from the American and National Leagues, effective this season.

In addition to the nine Gold Gloves given to the top defensive players at each position in both leagues, the best utility players throughout Major League Baseball will now start to finally get their flowers for their defensive prowess too.

In a statement, Rawlings said: “We’re thrilled to finally introduce a Rawlings Gold Glove Award that recognizes players with the superior defensive ability to play multiple positions. Utility players are some of the most versatile athletes you’ll see on the field, and it’s time for them to be rewarded for their tremendous defense, alongside position players.”

The requirement for position players to be considered for a Gold Glove is to have played for at least 713 innings through the team’s 141st game. However, it hasn’t yet been specified if utility players will be subject to the same requirement. Gold Glove and Platinum Glove Awards are mostly based on votes from managers and coaches (who can’t vote for their own players), but the SDI – which features two sets of defensive metrics – also plays a big role as it accounts for around 25 percent of the selection process.

That can only be seen as good news for the New York Mets’ Luis Guillorme, who boasts a stellar glove but has always been punished when it comes to Gold Glove consideration because of his lack of innings at just one position. Prior to going on the IL with a left groin strain, the veteran was enjoying an impressive season both at the plate and in the field. He was hitting .283/.355/.357 with a .712 OPS as part of a platoon at third base with Eduardo Escobar.

But, in terms of his elite glove, Guillorme established himself as a vital everyday player for the Mets because of his ability to execute elite plays in the field, in addition to being able to play wherever he was needed.

He has played 77 games in the field this season for a total of 649.2 innings, 447.2 of which have come at second base, 160 at third base, and 42 at shortstop while making a total of just three errors.

Having come off the IL to re-join the team in Chicago this week, Guillorme should surpass the 713 innings requirement for position players when it comes to Gold Glove consideration. He needs just over seven full games worth of innings to cross 713 for the year.

Given that he ranks in the 87th percentile this season when it comes to Outs Above Average, per Baseball Savant, the 27-year-old should have a great chance to win the first-ever Gold Glove award for a utility player in the National League.

After all, Guillorme has consistently flashed highlight-reel plays in addition to stellar defense at third base, shortstop, and second base this year, and his ability to showcase his quick hands, incredible instincts and plus arm to make difficult throws from anywhere on the diamond should make him a frontrunner for the award. He has at least one Out Above Average at all three positions, as Mets Analytics pointed out.

It is also worth noting that Jeff McNeil could also be in contention for a Gold Glove as a utility player. He has played 763 innings at second base, 247 in left field, 28 in right field, and just one at third base for a total of 1,039 innings, making just four errors. Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 95th percentile in Outs Above Average.

Mets manager Buck Showalter had spoken earlier in the year about everyday utility players being included in the All-Star Game given how important a role Guillorme plays for his team. Now, with Rawlings’ decision to recognize utility players with a Gold Glove, indispensable players like Guillorme will finally get the credit and the flowers they deserve for their defensive prowess in multiple positions.