Detroit Tigers: Will Verlander, McCann, Kinsler or Iglesias Win a Gold Glove?

James McCann

Position: Catcher
Def: 14.2
DRS: 9
rSB: 7
CS%: 45%
Competition: Kansas City’s Salvador Perez and Anaheim’s Carlos Perez

If it weren’t for Salvador Perez, James McCann would probably be a shoe-in for the Gold Glove among American League backstops.

McCann’s Def, or defensive runs above average, of 14.2 is significantly higher than the next highest-rated catcher, Matt Wieters. Wieters checks in with an 8.4 Def number. However, Perez tops the list with a 15.5 Def, leaving McCann in second and Wieters in third among American League catchers.

It is a similar scenario in terms of DRS, or defensive runs saved. Perez checks in first with 11, while McCann ranks second with nine runs saved. Detroit’s backup does lead the way in rSB (seven) with a number that outranks Perez’ output (six) in the category.

While Carlos Perez of the Angels turned in a quality season behind the plate, it seems like a two-horse race at this point between McCann and his Kansas City counterpart.

Given his strong numbers and competitive fields elsewhere, McCann is probably the most likely of any Detroit Tigers player to take home a Gold Glove this season.