Thomas is Gold Glove Award finalist for first time

Lane Thomas has been recognized for his stellar defensive season with his first career Gold Glove Award nomination.

Thomas today was named by Rawlings Sports one of three finalists for the award among National League right fielders, along with the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts and the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr.

Winners at all positions will be announced Nov. 5 on ESPN.

It’s the first time Thomas has finished in the top three at his position in voting conducted by major league managers and coaches near the end of the regular season. The ultimate winner will be determined both by those votes and a sabermetic component provided by the Society for American Baseball Research, which accounts for 25 percent of the final tally.

Thomas enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Nationals not only at the plate (where he hit 28 homers and stole 20 bases) but also in the field. He was second among all NL outfielders with 18 assists, trailing only the Rockies’ Nolan Jones (who played all three outfield positions, plus first and third bases) by one.

The 28-year-old also made strides in his range, becoming much more comfortable making plays near the wall after struggling in that area in 2022. He finished with 1 Defensive Run Saved, up from minus-1 the previous season.

Thomas likely faces long odds to win the Gold Glove Award this year. Tatis, a former shortstop, finished with a whopping 27 Defensive Runs Saved to go along with 12 assists in his first full season as an outfielder. Betts, a six-time Gold Glove winner who had 3 Defensive Runs Saved and eight outfield assists, is also a finalist for the award given to the league’s best utility player, having also played 72 games in the infield.

The Nationals have had only two Gold Glove winners in club history: third baseman Ryan Zimmerman in 2009 and first baseman Adam LaRoche in 2012.