Heyward wins Wilson Defensive Player Award

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals' Jason Heyward finished a sweep of baseball's most distinguished defensive honors by taking the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award as the game's top right fielder during an awards show on Wednesday.

Heyward lands this honor to go along with the Fielding Bible Award he received last week and the Rawlings Gold Glove honor he took home on Tuesday as recognition for another tremendous season in the field.

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This marks the second straight season in which Heyward has won this Wilson award, which is presented to one player from each position regardless of league. Additionally, Wilson chooses the year's best defensive player (Andrelton Simmons) and best defensive team (Diamondbacks). Heyward had been the reigning Overall Defensive Player of the Year, winning that award with the Braves in 2014.

Wilson, which established this award in 2012, considers various defensive metrics in determining the nine individual and one team winners. That formula includes Defensive WAR (25 percent), Defensive Runs Saved (25 percent), Inside Edge Fielding ratings (20 percent), Inside Edge Arm ratings (20 percent) and Fielding Percentage (10 percent).

Video: CHC@STL Gm1: Heyward makes a nice sliding grab

Heyward led all right fielders with 22 Defensive Runs Saved, and the competition wasn't even close. The Mets' Curtis Granderson, with 11 DRS, ranked second. Heyward's Defensive WAR was also the highest among all right fielders. Since 2013, Heyward has tallied 69 DRS, more than double all other Major League right fielders.

Heyward, who started 136 of his 144 games in right field, tallied nine assists and threw out three runners at home, including two over the final month of the season.