Urías wins first Gold Glove

Ramón Urías didn’t break camp with a regular spot in the Orioles’ lineup. His position wasn’t set. But he received validation this afternoon for his defensive excellence.

Urías, 28, is the recipient of a Gold Glove at third base in the American League, beating out the Blue Jays’ Matt Chapman and the Guardians’ José Ramírez. The announcement was made this afternoon.

No Oriole had won a Gold Glove since Manny Machado in 2015. Urías, Machado and Brooks Robinson are the only Orioles third basemen to be honored.

Eighteen Orioles have received Gold Gloves, with Urías the only one lacking multiple awards. Robinson is tied with pitcher Jim Kaat for second place all-time with 16.

Urias' 14 defensive runs saved led all AL third basemen and ranked third in the majors, and they were the most by an Orioles player at the position since Machado in 2015. His 10.9 ultimate zone rating also led AL third basemen.

The award is voted on by major league managers and coaches, which accounts for 75 percent of the selection process. The other 25 percent is based on the SABR Defensive Index.

Urías led AL third basemen and ranked third among all fielders in the league with an 11.1 SDI, which was 3.9 better than the next qualified AL third baseman. It’s the highest from an Orioles fielder since shortstop J.J. Hardy’s 11.9 in 2016 and the best by an Orioles third baseman since Machado’s 11.8 in 2015.

SDI is a measurement of the number of runs saved by a player's defensive performance during the season in comparison to the average defensive player at that position. It combines measures from six different defensive data sources and includes arm strength and accuracy, range and sure-handedness, and the number of excellent versus below-average plays.

Also favoring Urías were the seven outs above average that tied for the AL lead among third basemen. Chapman and Ramírez had one each.

Urías, selected off waivers from the Cardinals in February 2020. committed eight errors in 259 total chances at third. He appeared to be a longshot to win a Gold Glove after making only 84 starts and 98 total appearances, but he pulled off the upset.

Center fielder Cedric Mullins also was a finalist but lost to the Guardians' Myles Straw.

None of the Orioles were chosen as finalists last year. Right fielder Anthony Santander was a finalist in 2020 and lost to the Rangers’ Joey Gallo.

The Rawlings Platinum Glove winners will be announced on Nov. 11.