Wrap Up on the 2014 Season: Post Season Awards

Although the Cardinals fell short of their ultimate prize of winning the World Series, some members of the team were recently recognized for their efforts during the season. Lets start out with Yadier Molina.

Yadier Molina, the staple of the pitching staff, and lets be honest, probably of the team, was recognized as the best defensive catcher in the National League, winning his 7th consecutive Gold Glove Award. Critics and fans alike have argued that maybe Jonathan Lucroy of the Brewers should have taken home the award, and to a degree I understand why. Lets take a look at their defensive stats numbers in key fields. M denotes Molina, L for Lucroy

     VS.

Games played at primary position: M:107, L:136               Passed Balls: M: 3 L: 5

Innings at primary position: M: 931.2, L: 1182.1                 Stolen Bases Allowed: M: 23 L: 83

Assists: M: 56 L:65                                                                        Caught Stealing: M: 21 L: 29

Errors: M: 2 L: 4                                                                           Caught Stealing %: M: 48% L: 26%

Fielding %: M: .998 L: .996

When it comes to voting in baseball. alot of people put weight into what a player has done in the past, say when it comes to All-Star voting. You can say that Lucroy played in more games, thus he had more of a chance to make more errors and more passed balls. I think the real reason you give the award to Molina in this case, while in part to his great defensive past, but also for the fact that he ultimately shuts down an opponent's running game, while also catching nearly half of those who do try and steal, compared to Lucroy's 26%. The stolen bases allowed numbers alone should attest to this, with Lucroy giving up 60 more stolen bases than Molina.