Mookie Betts Wins First Career AL Gold Glove Award
BOSTON (CBS) -- Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts won his first career American League Gold Glove award on Tuesday, beating out finalists George Springer of the Houston Astros and Adam Eaton of the Chicago White Sox. He's the first Red Sox player since Dustin Pedroia in 2014 to win the award.
The impressive part of Betts' feat is that he's only been a full-time outfielder since he transitioned there in 2014 for the Red Sox, after spending the first two seasons of his Minor League career at second base and playing shortstop in high school. He played the majority of 2015 in center field before shifting to right field for the 2016 season.
Jackie Bradley Jr. was a Gold Glove finalist for center field but lost out to the Rays' Kevin Kiermaier, while Dustin Pedroia was a finalist at second base but lost to the Tigers' Ian Kinsler.
Betts made just one error in 361 total chances in right field, a .997 fielding percentage. His defense is a big reason why he finished third in the major leagues in WAR and became a finalist for the American League MVP Award.