yahoo
The Chicago Cubs may have ended their season on a disappointing note, but their defensive prowess did not go unnoticed. On Friday, the team was named the National League Gold Glove team, as reported by Talkin Baseball, marking the second straight year they have earned the honor.
The Cubs' playoff run was cut short by the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card series, but the club still came away with significant accolades. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is poised to win the MVP, led the league with 26 Outs Above Average and finished with 10 Defensive Runs Saved. He also posted a .280 batting average, 45 home runs, 107 RBIs, and 41 stolen bases, joining the exclusive 40/40 club.
Third baseman Alex Bregman earned his first Gold Glove as a Cub, recording 72 putouts, 225 assists, and only 5 errors for a .983 fielding percentage. He became the first Cubs third baseman to win the award since Ron Santo.
Several other Cubs were nominated for Gold Gloves: Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson, and Seiya Suzuki. Suzuki was a first-time finalist, while Swanson previously won in 2023. Happ had won four consecutive Gold Gloves before falling short to Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Despite a mid-season slump due to injuries and pitching inconsistencies, the Cubs finished the season at 89-73 and led the league with 115 Outs Above Average and 73 Defensive Runs Saved.
Key Analysis
The Cubs' back-to-back Team Gold Glove recognition underscores their sustained defensive excellence, even as their playoff aspirations fell short. The individual honors for Crow-Armstrong and Bregman highlight their standout contributions, while the team's league-leading metrics in Outs Above Average and Defensive Runs Saved further validate their defensive dominance.
Originally reported by yahoo.