Barney takes home Cubs' defensive award

CHICAGO -- Second baseman Darwin Barney was named the Cubs' Wilson Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday.

The award was announced on MLB Network.

Barney led all National League second basemen in fielding percentage, and he made just four errors in 139 starts. He posted a .799 zone rating, seventh best in the NL.

Founded in 2012, the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award winners are determined by using a formula that balances scouting information, sabermetric analysis and basic fielding statistics. In addition to picking team-specific honorees, Wilson selected the top defensive player in the National League (Gerardo Parra ) and American League (Dustin Pedroia ), as well as each league's best defensive teams (D-backs, Orioles/Royals tie).

Wilson Sporting Goods has been the Official Ball Glove of Major League Baseball for over 20 years. Beginning with the introduction of its first glove in 1919, Wilson has outfitted thousands of Major League players, from Ernie Banks to Barney.

The GIBBY trophy for Defensive Player of the Year, for which Barney is nominated, will be awarded as part of the 2013 Greatness in Baseball Yearly Awards, which are based on voting by media, front-office personnel, MLB alumni and the Society for American Baseball Research, as well as fan balloting on MLB.com.

Through Sunday, Dec. 1, fans will be able to cast their ballots at MLB.com for the year's top defensive star, with no individual league affiliation.