What's Happening?
Cal Raleigh, a standout catcher for the Seattle Mariners, has been surprisingly left out of the American League Gold Glove finalists list. Despite winning the Platinum Glove last season, Raleigh was not included among the top three catchers this year.
Alejandro Kirk, Carlos Narvaez, and Dillon Dingler were chosen instead. Raleigh's defensive metrics, such as catcher framing runs, were strong, ranking fourth in the AL. However, he was surpassed in blocks above average by Kirk, Wells, and Hedges. The finalists also outperformed Raleigh in Fielding Run Value, which may explain his exclusion.
Why It's Important?
Raleigh's omission from the Gold Glove finalists is significant as it highlights the competitive nature of defensive awards in MLB. His exclusion may impact his reputation as a top defensive player, despite his impressive performance. This decision could influence future selections and evaluations of defensive metrics in baseball. For the Mariners, Raleigh's absence from the list might affect team morale and recognition of their players' achievements.