Luis Robert wins Gold Glove

Remarkable both given the his competition and age, Luis Robert won the 2020 American League’s Gold Glove for center field.

Here’s the Chicago White Sox press release:

LUIS ROBERT WINS AMERICAN LEAGUE GOLD GLOVE AWARD

CHICAGO – Chicago White Sox rookie Luis Robert has been named the American League Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner among center fielders.

Robert, 23, becomes the first rookie in White Sox history to win the award and the fifth outfielder (ninth time), joining Ken Berry (1970), Tommie Agee (1966), Jim Landis (1961-64) and Minnie Miñoso (1957, ’60).

Robert posted a .994 fielding percentage in center field in 2020, committing one error in 154 chances. He led all AL outfielders in total chances and ranked sixth overall in defensive WAR (1.0). Robert also ranked among the MLB Statcast leaders in runs prevented (tied for second, 5), outs above average (tied for second, 7) and defensive runs saved (tied for seventh, 8).

“I have always dreamed of winning a Gold Glove, so this is a dream come true. I joked around this season with Yolmer Sánchez about the possibility of winning it one day and being a Gold Glover like him,” Robert says. “I felt happy with my defense, but I know I can do more and be better. I have to thank Daryl Boston, because he helped me adjust to the big leagues and taught me to take better advantage of my defensive skills. This award is a motivation for me.”

Robert also is a candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year Award, which will be announced by the BBWAA on November 9. He ranked among the MLB rookie leaders in numerous categories, including RBI (1st, 31), home runs (tied for first, 11), runs scored (2nd, 33), extra-base hits (2nd, 19), total bases (2nd, 88) and slugging percentage (3rd, .436).

Robert’s average home run exit velocity of 109.2 led the major leagues. His 487-foot homer in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series at Oakland is the longest by a White Sox player in the Statcast era (since 2015).

In addition to Robert, catchers Yasmani Grandal and James McCann, second baseman Danny Mendick and third baseman Yoán Moncada were White Sox finalists for the Gold Glove award.

The White Sox including numerous offensive accomplishments in this release speaks to the difficult nature of depicting defense and talking it up. It’s always easier to see — so let’s take a look.

Robert’s front-and-center highlight-reel catch — seriously, the likely reason he won the 2020 Gold Glove — came in Kansas City:

But let’s not forget about humorous fly-ball steals:

Mix in some humorous attempts at the wall, including a lost glove over the wall during Summer Camp, and it all adds up to an extraordinary, short season in center.

Felicidades, Luis!