2013 NL Gold Glove Finalists: First base

Alright people, we need to keep things going. But just in case you missed my previous Gold Glove articles, please go ahead and click here. In the link, I have all my articles lined up from my most recent, to the very beginning.

I just got done covering catchers, now it’s time to turn our attention to those who play first base.

Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers – When this trade went down last season between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, I couldn’t believe it. I had no clue why the Red Sox would spend all that money on Gonzalez then decide to trade him away two years later. I think it was the first time a cover athlete for MLB The Show was actually traded during his cover period on the video game. What matters now, is he’s in Los Angeles and seems pretty happy with the organization. This season Gonzalez continued to put up big offensive numbers as he blasted 22 home runs and drove in an even 100 RBI’s for the second straight season. In his first full season with the Dodgers, he picked up 84 assists, was charged with 11 errors and took part in 133 successful double plays with a .992 fielding percentage.

Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks – This man right here is an absolute power house. A straight up monster when he’s in the batters box. He hit 36 long balls and drove in 125 runs for the Diamondbacks this season and is now in the running for a Gold Glove along side Adrian Gonzalez and Anthony Rizzo.  On the defensive side of things, He spent his entire season at first base, picking up 99 assists, five errors and 1494 put outs on a .997 fielding percentage. Arizona needs to make sure this guy doesn’t slip away as he’s looking to be the next Adam Dunn. Hopefully he doesn’t strike out as much in the future.

Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs – The future of the Chicago Cubs organization. As a Chicago Cubs fan, I’m pretty excited about Rizzo being involved in the future plans of this team. After coming over from the San Diego Padres after Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer came over to the Cubs, Rizzo has been pretty good. He was in a bit of a slump near the end of the season, but to be fair it was his first full major league season. Rizzo launched 23 home runs and drove in 80 RBI’s on a batting line of .233/.323/.419. The young first baseman for the Cubbies recorded 149 assists, five errors and 114 double plays on a .997 fielding percentage. Rizzo has a great chance of winning his first Gold Glove of his young career.