| Detroit Free Press
Spencer Torkelson smashes home run in Tigers instructional league game
Detroit Tigers infield prospect Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in 2020 MLB draft, smashes a home run to LF in instructional league game in Lakeland, Fla., Oct. 19, 2020.
The Detroit Tigers haven’t won many awards in recent years, but second baseman Jonathan Schoop and shortstop Niko Goodrum are in the running for their own.
They are one of three finalists at their positions for the AL Gold Glove Award, announced Thursday by Rawlings Baseball.
Schoop, a free agent this offseason, is joined by Cesar Hernandez (Cleveland Indians) and Danny Mendick (Chicago White Sox) and late-addition Nicky Lopez (Kansas City Royals). Goodrum is up against Carlos Correa (Houston Astros) and J.P. Crawford (Seattle Mariners).
The last Tiger to win a Gold Glove was second baseman Ian Kinsler in 2016. Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes won one in 2015, though he was traded to the New York Mets at the July 31 deadline. Placido Polanco, a second baseman, got Gold Gloves with the organization in 2007 and 2009.
At second base, Schoop had a .994 fielding percentage, making one error in 174 chances. He had zero defensive runs saved above average, which measures the number of runs above or below average a player was worth based on the number of plays made. He produced on offense with a .278 batting average, eight homers and 23 RBIs in 44 games.
At shortstop, Goodrum recorded a .991 fielding percentage with one error in 117 chances across 31 games. Because of rookie Willi Castro’s offensive surge, Goodrum transitioned to second base in September. As a second baseman, Goodrum finished the year with a .976 fielding percentage in 11 games.
Goodrum logged a plus-3 defensive runs saved above average at shortstop. He struggled offensively with a .184 average, five homers and 20 RBIs.
For the Silver Slugger Award, the Tigers had winners in each season from 2010-2016: catcher Alex Avila (2011), first baseman Prince Fielder (2012), outfielder Torii Hunter (2013), designated hitter Victor Martinez (2014) and outfielder J.D. Martinez (2015). Miguel Cabrera secured the award at either third base or first base in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
The Tigers haven’t had any Silver Sluggers since then, and this year’s finalists haven’t been announced yet.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.