JBJ upset with Gold Glove snub: 'I just don't understand'
Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. won't even be a Gold Glove finalist this year, and the former winner is flummoxed.
Ramon Laureano, Luis Robert, and Byron Buxton were announced by Rawlings as the AL Gold Glove finalists for center field Thursday, with Bradley being left off the list.
After MiLB reporter Sam Dykstra pointed out that Bradley tied with Robert for the lead in Baseball Savant's outs above average among all MLB center fielders, Bradley aired his grievances.
I just don't understand, and I have yet to have anyone from any analytics department explain to me how they "calculate" the "numbers" or better yet how can you physically improve on them as a player... https://t.co/OSmhsBDANl
— Jackie Bradley Jr. (@JackieBradleyJr) October 22, 2020
In fact, at seven OAA, Bradley is tied as the best fielder at any position in 2020, alongside San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado.
FanGraphs' metrics are less kind to Bradley. The 2018 Gold Glove recipient saved 2.6 runs by FanGraphs Def, which ranks 11th among outfielders with at least 120 plate appearances and places Bradley behind Laureano (4.0), Robert (3.4), and Buxton (3.0).
Gold Gloves are decided upon by SABR Defensive Index, which aggregates multiple different metrics.
For his career, Bradley has saved 44.6 runs through eight seasons with the Red Sox, according to FanGraphs Def. He'll be eligible for free agency this winter.