After streak was snapped, Betts takes home 6th Gold Glove

November 1st, 2022

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts won the Rawlings National League Gold Glove Award in right field for the sixth time in his already-decorated career on Tuesday.

It’s the second time Betts has won the award in three seasons with the Dodgers, becoming the fourth outfielder to win multiple Gold Gloves with the organization and joining Willie Davis (3), Raul Mondesi (2) and Matt Kemp (2). 

The 2018 American League MVP beat out finalists Daulton Varsho of the D-backs and Juan Soto of the Nationals/Padres.

After being bothered by a back/hip injury in 2021, Betts’ streak of consecutive Gold Glove Awards was snapped at five. But in ‘22, he returned to form at the plate and in the outfield. Betts committed just two errors over 1,154 1/3 innings in right field. Though defensive metrics are trickier than most, Betts ranked just as high in advanced metrics.  

Per Baseball Savant, Betts led all NL right fielders with five Outs Above Average. Varsho finished with 10, but he saw plenty of time in center field, helping out his numbers. Per FanGraphs, Betts also graded out as the best right fielder, leading the Majors with 15 Defensive Runs Saved.

Aside from Betts, starter Tyler Anderson was the other Dodgers finalist for a Gold Glove. Anderson, however, fell short of his first career Gold Glove as the award was given to Braves left-hander Max Fried.