These 2 LA Angels have been named AL Gold Glove Award finalists

The LA Angels were a poor defensive team this year.

They were 23rd in MLB with -23 Defensive Runs Saved this season, and were just in the middle of the pack in both errors (88) and fielding percentage (.985).

We did see some good defense however, from a few guys. Two of them were recently named Gold Glove finalists.

Two LA Angels in Jared Walsh and David Fletcher were named Gold Glove finalists for this season.

Jared Walsh finished 12th in most errors this season among AL first basemen (5), and both he and David Fletcher finished with the best fielding percentages in the American League at their positions.

Walsh’s fielding percentage was .995 and Fletcher’s was .990. Fletcher also made few errors, having just six on the year.

Fletcher was second among AL second basemen with 12 Defensive Runs Saved.

Walsh proved himself to have some of the most range out of any first basemen in MLB. He used his quickness to play off the bag more than almost all other first basemen. There was a massive difference when he took over first base full time and we let the Dodgers try to deal with Albert Pujols.

Competing with Walsh for the Gold Glove is Yuli Gurriel and Matt Olson. For second base, Fletcher is competing with Whit Merrifield and Marcus Semien. All six of these guys are great candidates for the two awards.

Fletcher and Walsh have of course not won a Gold Glove in their career yet. Walsh will be competing with a two-time winner in Olson, and none of the second base finalists have ever won Gold Gloves.

In a season where the Angels were a bit snake-bitten on defense, the Halos now have proven that they have two of the best defensive players at their positions on our team. Add Rendon and Trout back into the mix next year when they come back from injury and the team’s defense will be much improved.