The Rookie Center Fielder has been a dazzling defender this year.
Rawlings is the sponsor of the annual position awards given to players who have exhibited superior fielding performances in their position. The award is reserved for players who are everyday starters. The requirements to qualify are very specific. In fact, the players who qualify are decided by each teams 138th game. Today’s game against the Nationals will mark the Cardinals 138th game for the 2018 season.
Harrison Bader was battling much of the early part of the season to earn playing time over the Cardinals opening day starters. Pham was the everyday center fielder, Fowler in right, and Ozuna in left. This season has had a few dramatic twists and turns, but the result has found Bader to be the everyday center fielder. Since moving to center field, Bader has become quite a fan favorite. Players love him, fans love him, and the staff seems to love him as well. It seems like every single game Bader is making some dazzling plays. Playing very impressively, he seems to have slid right into the everyday role quite comfortably.
However, due to his scattered play early in the season, Bader was not on track to meet the requirement of 698 innings played by the teams 138th game. With the departure of Tommy Pham, mixed in with the injuries and the poor performance of Dexter Fowler, Bader got his shot. The loss to the Reds during the 137th game of the year was not the ending the fan base hoped for. But, in the same game Bader has officially hit just enough innings to sneak into the running for the end of the year awards.
For many Cardinal fans, the question isn’t if he is worthy of a Gold Glove, but will he see enough playing time to get noticed, or even qualify. With it now official, he can make a run at a gold glove. If you aren’t sold on his defensive ability, take a look at the video below. The eye test has always been a great way to evaluate a player’s ability. Kevin Kiermaier and Harrison Bader had similar plays with nearly the same time and distance to cover.
Kiermaier, Bader catch attempts | 08/13/2018
Kevin Kiermaier and Harrison Bader make similar attempts at two different fly balls
While this is just one example, the numbers are also supporting Harrison’s case. He is second overall in defensive war and is near the top in several other defensive stats despite limited playing time. Efficiency is also a key factor in his defense. Bader uses his speed, takes great jumps, and seemingly is all over the outfield tracking down balls. He is simply impressive.
The award does not factor offensive production, and also is not based on statistics or metrics. It is voted on by managers, and their coaching staffs. What this means is that all of the buzz he is generating, and the excitement seen from opposing dugouts certainly rule in his favor. Players such as Billy Hamilton, Lorenzo Cain, Charlie Blackmon, are all well-known center fielders in the National League. Hamilton has had some big plays against the Cardinals this year and may be hard for Harrison to beat. However, both speedy center fielders have been very fun to watch this year. When the voting takes place at the end of the season no matter the outcome, the future looks bright for the young and talented Cardinals team.
