How do Mariners White and Crawford stack up to their Gold Glove competition?

Evan White has a great chance of winning his first Gold Glove in 2020

White played in 54 games this season and impressively led all American League first basemen in defensive runs saved, scoops, and out of zone plays. White is competing against 36-year-old Yuli Gurriel and 26-year-old Matt Olson for the AL Gold Glove among first basemen. Olson has the best resume with two back to back Gold Gloves in 2018 and 2019.

But, Gurriel was also a solid first baseman in 2020. It is also interesting to note, that the three first base Gold Glove candidates are all from the AL West. To compare some of the important defensive metrics among the three, below is a list of metrics of each player. The winner of the category is bolded.

• Defensive Runs Saved Above Average
  • White 7
  • Gurriel 2
  • Olson 5
• Total Zone Fielding Runs Above Average
  • White 5
  • Gurriel 6
  • Olson -2
• Fielding Percentage
  • White .998%
  • Gurriel .998%
  • Olson .998%
• League Range Factor per Game
  • White 7.44
  • Gurriel 7.86
  • Olson 7.86
• Plus/Minus Fielding Runs Above Average
  • White 5
  • Gurriel 2
  • Olson 3
• Good Plays/Misplays Runs Above Average
  • White 2
  • Gurriel 0
  • Olson 1
• Infield Range Runs Above Average
  • White 4
  • Gurriel 1
  • Olson 2
• Infield Throwing Runs Above Average
  • White 1
  • Gurriel 0
  • Olson 1
• Percentage of Balls Fielded That Resulted in Outs
  • White 96%
  • Gurriel 97%
  • Olson 92%

To make things clear, the metrics listed above were not picked to favor White by any means. These are some popular defensive metrics you hear often on television, and it gives a great snapshot of the first base Gold Glove race. White is in first place for six out of the nine metrics listed.

The first metric, defensive runs saved is one of the most important and White has seven. As mentioned earlier, White also leads the American League in scoops. Gurriel is in first place for four out of the nine metrics, while Olson is in first place for just three.

We can also take away that White was much more versatile and athletic at first base because of his high infield range runs, plus/minus fielding, and good plays/misplays runs above average. Just from watching his 2020 performances, the 24-year-old made numerous diving plays, catches along the camera tunnel, and ranged out to right field to make over the shoulder catches.

Some of you may be asking whether White’s offensive woes would potentially influence the Gold Glove selection. Technically it is not supposed to, but in the past, it seemed like it did. But, in 2020, all three of the first basemen have not particularly hit well. Olson and Gurriel underperformed in the regular season offensively. So, it really will come down to the best defensive metrics.

Our rookie first baseman has some tough competition, but White proved his defensive capabilities and I have confidence that he will win his first Gold Glove. Jon Olerud is the only Mariners’ first baseman to win a Gold Glove (2000, 2002, and 2003) and I expect White to join him.