Panda represents Giants as Gold Glove finalist
Slugger can become club's first third baseman to win award since 1994
SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who sustained a 73-game errorless streak this season, was named a finalist at his position on Thursday for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award among National Leaguers.
The winners will be named on Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. PT on ESPN2.
Sandoval ranked third in the NL with a .971 fielding percentage, ahead of fellow finalist Nolan Arenado of Colorado (.959) but behind the other finalist, Los Angeles' Juan Uribe (.979). Sandoval also ranked third in the league with 89 putouts, compared to Arenado's 69 and Uribe's 60.
Video: COL@SF: Panda makes an outstanding diving stop for DP
However, Arenado had a clear advantage when modern metrics were employed. He recorded a range factor of 3.25 and a defensive WAR of 1.9, eclipsing Sandoval's marks of 2.64 and 0.6, respectively.
Said Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke of Sandoval, "I've always seen him make good plays against us. He's really athletic, and he's quick-footed. You may not think he is, but he is."
The last Giants player to win a Gold Glove Award was shortstop Omar Vizquel in 2006. No San Francisco third baseman has captured the honor since Matt Williams in 1994.