Ryan McMahon enters Nolan Arenado territory with award nomination

Nolan Arenado has won the National League Gold Glove every single season he’s played in Major League Baseball since debuting with the Colorado Rockies in 2013.

Now with the St. Louis Cardinals, the MVP candidate is seeking his 10th straight Gold Glove at third base, which would join him among 15 players who have ever amassed double-digit defensive awards. Ten straight to start his career would also tie Ichiro Suzuki for the most consecutively to begin a career; of course, the Japanese star became a big league much later (at 27) than Nolan, who debuted at 22 years old.

But could Arenado’s replacement in Colorado keep him from history?

Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon has been nominated for the 2022 NL Gold Glove at third base.

2022 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Finalists – Third Base – NL: Nolan Arenado, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Ryan McMahon #RawlingsGoldGloveAwards pic.twitter.com/rXX3SNsMcJ

— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) October 20, 2022

Arenado is definitely the favorite to repeat with his highlight plays for a playoff team. But some metrics say Pittsburgh’s Ke’Bryan Hayes actually had a stronger year on defense. He amassed more defensive runs saved, dWAR, while Arenado took top place in UZR. Both Hayes and Arenado only made 12 errors in over 120 games played, while McMahon committed 17. Hayes had a large lead in both assists and putouts.

The Rockies sent Arenado to the Cards in a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2021 season. He can become a free agent if he opts out this winter. Meanwhile, McMahon has bounced around the infield but seems to have settled in at third base and signed a long-term extension to stay in Colorado ahead of the 2022 season.

Brendan Rodgers also got nominated for the honor at second base. He topped the NL in defensive runs saved and UZR. B-Rod is far more likely got capture hardware than RyMac.

Going for gold!✨

Congrats to @Broddddd3 for being named a 2022 @RawlingsSports Gold Glove Award finalist! pic.twitter.com/cbWL58MqAp

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) October 20, 2022

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