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The Houston Astros have prided themselves on strong defense during general manager Jeff Luhnow’s time with the club. That fact showed it face again as Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. announced on Thursday the 2016 Gold Glove award finalists.
The list included Houston Astros left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel, left fielder Colby Rasmus and right fielder George Springer have been named finalists for American League Rawlings Gold Glove Awards. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 8, are determined by combining votes from Major League managers and coaches with a sabermetric component.
Congrats to Colby Rasmus, Dallas Keuchel and George Springer on being named Rawlings Gold Glove Award Finalists! pic.twitter.com/bmSIqcbjAn
— Houston Astros (@astros) October 27, 2016
Keuchel won the AL Gold Glove Award the last two season and did not commit an error in 32 total chances in 2016 while recording 27 assists. The Astros press release notes:
Dating back to 2013, Keuchel owns a .990 fielding percentage and has committed just two errors in 201 total chances, while recording a Major League-leading 151 assists and 48 putouts in 120 games.
Keuchel would be the first Astros to win three straight Gold Gloves since Craig Biggio won four straight from 1994-1997 at second base. The last AL pitcher to win three straight Gold Gloves was Mark Buehrle for the White Sox from 2009-11.
Colby Rasmus did not commit an error in 2016, posting a perfect fielding percentage in 186 total chances in the outfield. Rasmus also accounted for 13 outfield assists, tied for third-most in the AL. Per the Astros press release:
According to Fangraphs, Rasmus led all AL left fielders in Defensive Runs Saved with 14 and in UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) with 11.3. Among all AL outfielders, he ranked tied for fourth in Defensive Runs Saved (20) and fifth in UZR (14.9).
It will be tough for Rasmus to win the manager vote if they take into account the fact Rasmus missed a large chunk of time in the back end of this season with injuries.
Springer posted a .994 fielding percentage, committing just two errors in 322 total chances and he had 12 outfield assists also ranked third among AL right fielders and tied for fifth among all outfielders.
A surprising absence from this is list is Jose Altuve, who was selected as the 2015 Gold Glove award AL second baseman.