Twins third baseman Brooks Lee was named a finalist for a Gold Glove award at third base. The positional specification is important since Lee opened the season as Minnesota’s starting shortstop.
Lee is unlikely to bring the hardware home, as the Red Sox’s Caleb Durbin lapped the field in most defensive metrics at third base, but it’s a testament to the work
he and the Twins did with Lee in the middle of the season. Lee spent the first month as the worst defensive shortstop in baseball and then became a true asset at third, a remarkable turnaround. Lee was +8 in DRS, +6 in OAA, and +5 in FRV despite just playing 110 of his 156 games there.
No other Twins were named finalists, though I would make a compelling case for Kody Clemens in the utility spot. While he wasn’t outstanding at any individual position, there are very few players who can provide above-average defense at all three outfield positions, second base, and first base. Byron Buxton would almost definitely be a finalist as well had he played a full season, even as he’s lost a step in his mid-30s.
Lee still has a ways to go offensively, with most advanced metrics painting 2026 as a lucky turn, but he showed meaningful strides on that side of the ball as well with an improved approach that led to more power in spurts. However, a league-average bat with top-end defense who can swipe 10-20 bags a year is still an immensely valuable player. Just look at Durbin’s WAR totals the past couple years, for example.
Regardless, it’s a well deserved honor for a player that has worked hard to get where he is after a tough start to his career. Congrats, Brooks!
