Keuchel wins 4th Gold Glove in 5 years

HOUSTON -- Pitcher Dallas Keuchel added to his trophy case on Sunday night by winning his fourth Rawlings Gold Glove Award in the past five seasons, joining second baseman Craig Biggio, outfielder Cesar Cedeno and third baseman Doug Rader as the only Astros to win at least four Gold Gloves.
Keuchel, who won Gold Gloves from 2014-16, was the only Astros player to win one this year. Alex Bregman was a finalist at third base, where Oakland's Matt Chapman won, and Martín Maldonado was a finalist a catcher, but the award went to Kansas City's Salvador Perez.
"I think this one might be my favorite, just because I didn't throw a full season in two years and finally being healthy and doing what I love," Keuchel said. "I really took even more pride in being out there and trying to do my job and shortening the game as much as possible and trying to show people that pitchers can be athletic. This is for sure my most prized Gold Glove to date."
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For the third time in his career, Keuchel went a full season without committing an error (also 2013, '16), successfully handling 41 total chances with 27 assists in 34 starts. A ground-ball pitcher, the lefty led all American League pitchers in total chances, while tying for second in assists and tying for seventh in putouts (14).
"I never expect to win, but I'm very confident in my ability," Keuchel said. "I pitched a full year, and the soft contact was there, the amount of plays was there. I'm pretty good with my glove. That's something I've always taken pride in."
Keuchel is the first AL pitcher to win four Gold Gloves in a five-year span since Kenny Rogers won four from 2002-06.

The Gold Glove Award was created in 1957, and since then the award has served as the highest symbol of defensive excellence in Major League Baseball. The winners are determined by combining votes from Major League managers and coaches with a sabermetric component.
Keuchel, 30, was given a qualifying offer by the Astros to play for $17.9 million next season but told MLB.com on Friday he expects to turn it down and try to sign a long-term contract in free agency.
Keuchel, who won the 2015 AL Cy Young Award, went 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA last season, reaching 200 innings for the third time in his career. After starting the season 3-8 with a 4.45 ERA over his first 14 starts, Keuchel went 9-3 with a 3.23 ERA in his final 20 starts.