The Arizona Diamondbacks have seen a whirlwind of change and growth over the years, both in terms of team performance and individual talent development. Jim McLennan, founder of AZ SnakePit in 2004, has dedicated himself to covering every twist and turn of the Diamondbacks’ journey since then. With a finger on the pulse of the team’s dynamics, McLennan has chronicled everything from standout seasons to challenging times, consistently providing fans with an inside look at the organization.
One area where the Diamondbacks have garnered attention recently is their defense, though the metrics paint a somewhat mixed picture. On one hand, some traditional measures show a decline; on the other hand, advanced metrics suggest the team is still among the best in baseball. The team’s Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) dropped from 33.7 to 27.3, while Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) saw a sharp decline from +46 to +14. However, Statcast’s Outs Above Average (OAA) tells a different story, improving from +30 to +34, a reflection of stronger individual performances across the board. These metrics underscore the complexity of measuring defensive prowess in baseball—each stat highlights different facets of fielding performance.
One bright spot this season has been the Diamondbacks’ recognition for their defensive contributions, as evidenced by their surge in Gold Glove nominations. Last year, three D-backs—Christian Walker, Gabriel Moreno, and Alek Thomas—were in contention. This year, while Thomas is no longer a nominee, the team still boasts an impressive five nominees: Walker and Moreno return, with Lourdes Gurriel and Jake McCarthy added to the outfield list, along with Ketel Marte at second base. The Diamondbacks now lead all major league teams in Gold Glove nominations, which speaks volumes about their defensive talent.
Gabriel Moreno is up against Patrick Bailey of the San Francisco Giants and Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the Gold Glove at catcher. Moreno, who won the award in 2023, faces stiff competition, particularly due to injuries limiting him to just 83 starts this year compared to Bailey’s 101 and Smith’s 117. One area where Moreno has seen a dip is his caught stealing percentage, dropping from 39% in 2023 to 29% this season. Although Smith had a slightly higher percentage at 33%, Bailey lagged at 27%.
However, the advanced metrics favor Bailey, especially his pitch framing, which Fangraphs credits with 23 runs saved, making him the league leader in DRS, FRM, and Def for catchers. Given this advantage, Bailey is the likely frontrunner, but Moreno’s reputation and previous win make him a strong contender.
Christian Walker, the reigning Gold Glove winner at first base, is again in the running, competing with Bryce Harper of the Phillies and Matt Olson of the Braves. Despite playing fewer games than Olson—who appeared in all 162 games for Atlanta—Walker has metrics that could help him retain his title. By DRS, Olson leads with +14, while Walker trails at +7 and Harper at +5. However, other metrics like UZR and Def give Walker the edge, ranking him above his competitors despite his reduced playing time.
Walker also remains the only first baseman in the National League with a positive Def rating, making him the most well-rounded defensive option at his position. If voters lean on these metrics, Walker could very well retain his crown as the league’s best defensive first baseman.
In the outfield, the Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel and Jake McCarthy join the conversation, while Ketel Marte represents Arizona at second base. Though Gurriel and McCarthy’s candidacies are newer, their athleticism and strong arms have significantly contributed to Arizona’s defense this season. Marte, meanwhile, has been a steady presence at second base, known for his range and quick reflexes. These players exemplify Arizona’s defensive depth and are key to their standing as one of the most defensively sound teams in the league.
The Diamondbacks may have experienced some defensive inconsistencies this year, but their performance in the field remains among the league’s elite. With multiple Gold Glove nominees and a promising crop of players ready to take the team forward, Arizona continues to be a team defined by its commitment to defense, even as they work to improve in other areas.
On November 3, when the Gold Glove winners are announced on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, Diamondbacks fans will be eager to see if their team’s defensive stars can bring home more hardware and further solidify Arizona’s place among the best defensive teams in Major League Baseball.
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