The 2022 All Defense Team, according to Statcast

We already know the winners of the Gold Glove 2022. But if we just look at the Statcast numbers, who are the best defensemen in baseball?

Let’s take a look at the 2022 All Defense Team.

For infielders and outfielders, we factor in Outs Above Average (OAAs), while for catchers, we use runs saved for framing.

Does Statscast agree with the Gold Glove winners?

The platinum glove The American League player was by far the best cover in this department in the Majors in 2022, saving the Yankees 17 runs. The catcher who was closest to Treviño was Jonah Heim of the Rangers, with +12

First base: Owen Miller**, Guardians
**+6 Outs Above Average

The AL first basemen weren’t the strongest group, but Miller was the best of the lot, with +6 Outs Above Average. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who won the Gold Glove, had a -4 OAA.

Schoop was the best defensive player according to Statcast. His +27 OAA were the most in the majors among position players. Venezuelan Andrés Giménez was the second baseman closest to Schoop, with +13 OAA.

The third baseman for the World Series champions was solid at the hot corner all year, posting a +8 OAA.

Nicky Lopez is in the utility section. But when it comes to everyday shortstops, the distinction goes to the Dominican, who started the position in 142 games with the Orioles.

Left Garden: steven kwan**, Guardians
**+9 from OAA

Kwan was not only an elite contact hitter, but also an excellent left fielder. The Guardians rookie took the Gold Glove deservedly, as he led all outfielders with a +9 OAA.

Central Garden: Jose Siri**, Rays
**+16 from OAA

Whether playing with the Astros or the Rays, Sirí was a solid defender in center field in 2022. He had great reach in the gaps, adding +14 OAA when he went to his left or right.

Kepler was a solid defender, regardless of whether the hitter was a right-handed or left-handed. He left +6 OAA against righties and +5 OAA against lefties. Kepler has always been one of the best outfield mitts, clocking in at +51 OAA since Statcast introduced the stat in 2016. He’s second only to Mookie Betts in right field.

After being one of the best defenders in 2021 as a shortstop, López split his time between second base and shortstop in 2022. He put up +14 OAA, one of the best overall gloves in the majors.

d’Arnaud was not only the only catcher in the National League with double digit runs saved with his framing, surpassing Omar Narváez and Yadier Molina and Tomás Nido. It was the best season of his career according to these statistics.

Walker shone at first base with a +14 Above Average Outs, becoming not only the best at his position, but one of the best in the majors overall. Walker’s +33 OAA since 2019 is by far his best starting number, with Matt Olson (+12) and Paul Goldschmidt (+11) trailing behind.

Although Tommy Edman would deserve a Statcast award here, his spot is reserved as a utility. So McNeil is the one who takes the honors at second, after posting a career-high +8 OAA.

Hayes had a better OAA than even Platinum Glove winner Nolan Arenado (Arenado was the second-best third baseman at +15) and Gold Glove finalists Ryan McMahon and Manny Machado (+9 each). Hayes was one of the top five defensemen of the season.

It was an impressive year on defense for Swanson, who ranked second in baseball for Above Average Outs, and best shortstop by a wide margin, ahead of Francisco Lindor and Nico Hoerner. (+13 OAA each).

The D-backs rookie was one of the fastest players in baseball (30.7 ft/sec sprint velocity), so he can cover a lot of ground in the outfield. Despite being promoted at the end of August, Carroll finished +5 in OAA, ranking among the best left fielders of the season.

Grisham just edged out Sirí in Above Average Outs among center rangers. He made 17 plays that had a 50% or less chance of being completed; more than any other patrol car.

Varsho’s versatility is enough to cover center field and catching. However, most of her time in 2022 was spent in right field, where he amassed +17 Above Average Outs; being one of the five best defensemen overall in the Major Leagues.

Edman is in a similar situation to Lopez, having played both second base and shortstop for the Cardinals (and a bit of third base and outfield). The 2021 Gold Glove winner at second base, he was baseball’s best defensive utility player in 2022, with +18 OAA, third-best glove in all of baseball.