The Kansas City Royals finished 2024 with four gold glove finalists. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., pitchers Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo, and Catcher Freddy Fermin were all named finalists by Rawlings. Witt especially was phenomenal in 2024, finishing the season with 16 Outs Above Average (OAA). He was also worth 4 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) according to FanGraphs.
On Sunday, winners of the Gold Glove Awards for 2024 were announced. Among the winners were Witt and Lugo. It becomes the first time that a homegrown Shortstop has won the award for Kansas City. The Royals tie the Guardians and Mariners with two winners apiece and the most in the American League. The Rockies, Brewers, and Giants each had two winners apiece in the National League. It marks the first time the Royals have had a Gold Glove winner since the 2021 season. Witt becomes the first shortstop to win the award for Kansas City since Alcides Escobar in 2015. Alex Gordon was the last homegrown player to win the award back in 2020 and Bret Saberhagen was the last pitcher to win the award for the Royals back in 1989.
All four Gold Glove nominees are under contract and could be back with the Royals next season.
