For a decade, Nolan Arenado has been the gold standard for infield defense, winning 10 straight Gold Glove awards at third base to begin his career. This year, however, that streak is coming to an end.
Rawlings announced their top three finalists for the Gold Glove at each position on Wednesday, and Arenado was not named as a finalist for the first time in his career. Instead, the NL third baseman finalists are Ke’Bryan Hayes of the Pirates, Austin Riley of the Braves and Ryan McMahon of the Rockies.
With his streak at an end, Arenado ties Ichiro for the MLB record for most consecutive seasons winning a Gold Glove, instead of breaking Ichiro’s streak with an 11th straight season.
Nolan Arenado's MLB-record streak of 10 Gold Gloves to begin his career is over (Ichiro also won in his first 10 seasons)
— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) October 18, 2023
Ke'Bryan Hayes, Ryan McMahon or Austin Riley will be the first non-Arenado NL winner at third base since Chase Headley in 2012 https://t.co/Dng9a1wXnt
McMahon replaced Arenado at third base after Colorado traded the veteran to St. Louis, while Hayes led all third baseman in both Outs Above Average and Defensive Runs Saved in 2023. The last time Arenado was not the Gold Glove representative at third base was 2012, when then-Padres third baseman Chase Headley won the award.
In regards to most Gold Gloves of all time, Arenado is currently tied for 10th alongside six other former players who also had 10 in their careers. The most Gold Glove awards still belongs to Greg Maddux, who won the award for pitchers 18 times in his 23-year career.
