Detroit Tigers: Jonathan Schoop snubbed out of Gold Glove award

Detroit Tigers second baseman Jonathan Schoop didn’t win the Gold Glove award

The 2022 season was a rough one for the Detroit Tigers, but it still would have been a nice silver lining to have one of its players—Jonathan Schoop—win a Gold Glove. But predictably, Schoop didn’t win the award despite leading the American League (and all of baseball, for that matter) in virtually every defensive category.

No, instead the award went to Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez, who had a breakout season. And it’s not like he’s not deserving of the award. After all, he led all second baseman in defensive runs saved with 16. But Schoop led all second baseman in every other category—both traditional and advanced stats.

He committed the fewest amount of errors (3), and led all second baseman *and* all position players in the league with 27 outs above average. But we knew he wouldn’t win the award. In fact, we predicted it back when the finalists were announced.

Gimenez had the best offensive season of three finalists (Schoop and Marcus Semien) and played for a playoff team. It’s really no surprise that he won the award. It’s just sad that voters take in other factors for an award that’s supposed to recognize defense.

You know this would have meant the world to Schoop too. With the season he had at the dish, you have to think being recognized for his greatness in the field would have certainly helped him ease the pain of having the worst season of his career.

It’ll be very interesting to see how much Scott Harris values defense. Schoop has a much higher chance to stick around if defense is something that Harris covets. If not, that increases the likelihood of the Detroit Tigers letting him go despite being owed $7.5 million next year.

Jonathan Schoop was the most deserving Gold Glove finalist for the American League at second base. It’s not surprising that he was snubbed, but it still stings nonetheless.