Alexei Ramirez deserves AL Gold Glove award

Sep 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pinch runner

Lane Adams

(45) is out at second base as Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) turns a double play in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday it was announced Alexei Ramirez and Adam Eaton were finalists for American League Gold Glove awards for shortstop and centerfield respectively.

Today I would like to talk about Ramirez, and why I believe he deserves the AL Gold Glove at shortstop for his performance in ’14.

Ramirez, in 158 games at shortstop (157 starts), he committed 15 errors in 696 total chances for a .978 fielding percentage. He totaled 195 put outs and 486 assists for the ’14 season. He also was a part of 119 double plays.

Also up for the award at shortstop are Alcides Escobar of the Kansas City Royals and J.J. Hardy of the Baltimore Orioles.

Escobar played in four more games than Ramirez, playing in all 162 games, but his fielding percentage was a bit lower at .976, and he committed one more error than Ramirez with 16. He wasn’t a part of as many double plays (91) nor did he have as many assists (440).

The Royals shortstop did have more put outs 213 in 669 chances.

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Hardy of the O’s had the same fielding percentage as Ramirez at .978, committing 13 errors in 141 games, which was 17 games less than Ramirez.

The O’s shortstop had 13 errors, and was a part of 99 double plays. In 594 chances, Hardy had 187 put outs and 394 assists.

Don’t get me wrong, Escobar and Hardy had great seasons in the field, but I believe Ramirez had just a little better season.

Ramirez was also the lone player of these three who was an AL All-Star in ’14, and as I’ve said before, I believe he’s the class of the AL when it come to fielding at shortstop.