Rockies’ Brendan Rodgers wins first Gold Glove Award, 8th in Colorado history to win it

Consider Brendan Rodgers’ position transition a success.

When Rodgers was a shortstop during his high school career at Lake Mary High in Florida, he received a fielding award from the Perfect Game program. That started him dreaming of mining gold as a major leaguer.

Rodgers, 26, realized his dream on Tuesday, but as a second baseman, not as a shortstop.

Rodgers, who played in a career-high 137 games this year, claimed his first Gold Glove Award, beating out finalists Jake Cronenworth of San Diego and St. Louis’ Tommy Edman. Rodgers became the second Rockies’ second baseman to claim the honor, joining DJ LeMahieu (2014, 2017-18).

Rodgers led all second basemen with 22 Defensive Runs Saved (per Sports Info Solutions), the most DRS for a second baseman since the Cubs’ Darwin Barney in 2012 (28 DRS). Rodgers’ 3.0 dWAR (per Baseball Reference) tied Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes for the most in the majors and ranked third all-time for a Rockies player in a single season, the highest since shortstop Troy Tulowitzki set a franchise record with a 3.9 dWAR in 2007.

Rodgers led all big-league second basemen with 99 double plays, 411 assists, 3.17 assists-per-nine innings and 19 diving plays.

Rodgers became the eighth player in Colorado history to win the award. Others were LeMahieu, third baseman Nolan Arenado (2013-20), outfielder Carlos González (2010, 2012-13), shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2010-11), first baseman Todd Helton (2001-02, 2004), shortstop Neifi Perez (2000) and outfielder Larry Walker (1997-99, 2001-02).

Rodgers, selected as the third overall player in the 2015 draft, began playing second base in the minors and was making progress before his career was slowed by injuries. A shoulder injury that required surgery cut short his 2019 season, and his 2021 season was limited to 102 games when it was delayed by a hamstring injury suffered during spring training.

Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon was a finalist for the second consecutive season, but the Cardinals’ Arenado won a Gold Glove for the 10th consecutive year.

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