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It’s the beginning of award season throughout Major League baseball as a new World Series winner will be crowned next week and the sport reflects on its bounce-back from a 60-game slate in 2020.
One of the first awards has already been crowded by SIS-Baseball, awarding the top defensive players in baseball throughout the league, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the most well-represented of any club.
Catcher Jacob Stallings and Ke’Bryan Hayes were each named to the team for the first time, joining a highly regarded group of only 10 total players selected.
Hayes and Stallings join second baseman Whit Merrifield and center fielder Michael A. Taylor of the Royals as the only two teams with multiple representatives.
Stallings continues to become one of the best defensive catchers in the game and improve his pitch framing every season.
2021 Fielding Bible Award Winner
— SIS_Baseball (@sis_baseball) October 28, 2021
Catcher – Jacob Stallings, @Pirates
* 1st career Fielding Bible Award
* Led all catchers in Defensive Runs Saved
* Led all catchers in pitch block rate#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/KtCYRQeNXc
The 31-year-old led all catchers in both defensive runs saved and pitch block rate, also being named a finalist for the 2021 Rawlings Gold Glove.
Hayes has been an electrifying defender at third base since his arrival in Pittsburgh late last season, showcasing dazzling picks and range worthy of receiving his award.
2021 Fielding Bible Award Winner
— SIS_Baseball (@sis_baseball) October 28, 2021
3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes, @Pirates
(@KebryanHayes)
* 1st career Fielding Bible Award
* Led all 3B in Defensive Runs Saved
* Ended 6-year run in which Award was won by Nolan Arenado or Matt Chapman#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/kKnqYEbn3j
In his first full season, Hayes led all players at his position in defensive runs saved, and knocked off Nolan Arenado and Matt Chapman from either recording the award for the first time in six years.
He also missed time during the season due to injuries, a rewarding achievement for the 24-year-old with Gold Gloves in his future, despite not being a finalist this season.
Hayes is under team control for another five seasons and Stallings three, providing the Pirates with defensive stability for years to come.
The Pirates drastically improved defensively in 2021 and will need to continue on an upward trajectory to compensate for a lack of offense the past few seasons, and the further development of young hitters fresh to the big league and finding their footing.
The complete list of winners:
C- Jacob Stallings
1B- Paul Goldschmidt
2B- Whit Merrifield
SS- Carlos Correa
3B- Ke’Bryan Hayes
LF- Tyler O’Neill
CF- Michael A. Taylor
RF- Aaron Judge
P- Dallas Keuchel
Utility/Multi-Position- Kike Hernandez