Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Beltre again recognized for his defense

ARLINGTON -- Third baseman Adrian Beltre has been selected as the Rangers' Defensive Player of the Year. The first-ever Wilson Defensive Players of the Year were announced Sunday night on MLB Network.

The winner for each team was selected by detailed defensive statistical analysis used by MLB Network. Mike Trout of the Angels was named as the top defensive player in the American League, while Michael Bourn of the Braves was the winner in the National League. The Braves were also crowned as the top defensive team.

Beltre won his fourth Gold Glove at third base last month and second straight with the Rangers. Beltre had a .974 fielding percentage that was the highest among AL third basemen and had the second-highest ultimate zone rating as determined by Fangraphs.com.

As part of the 2012 Greatness in Baseball Yearly Awards, the GIBBY trophy for Defensive Player of the Year will be awarded, based on fan voting at MLB.com, media, front-office personnel, MLB alumni and the Society for American Baseball Research.

From Monday, Nov. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 2, fans will be able to cast their ballots at MLB.com for the year's top defensive star, with no individual league affiliation.

Gallo wins MVP Award
Third baseman Joey Gallo was announced as the 2012 Topps/Minor League Baseball Player of the Year in the Arizona Rookie League by Minor League Baseball on Monday.

Gallo, who turns 19 on Nov. 19, was a unanimous selection as the Arizona League's Most Valuable Player in his first professional season, as he set a league record with 18 home runs in 150 at-bats over 43 games with the Rangers. Gallo batted .293 (44-for-150) with 10 doubles, a triple and 43 RBIs.

Overall, Gallo combined to bat .272 (56-for-206) with 22 home runs and 52 RBIs in 59 games between the Arizona League Rangers and Class A Spokane following his selection in the supplemental first round (39th overall) of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger.
Read More: Adrian Beltre