Rizzo among 3 Cubs finalists for NL Gold Glove
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MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, right fielder Jason Heyward and second baseman Ben Zobrist are finalists for the National League Gold Glove Award at their respective positions. The winners will be unveiled tonight at 9 ET on ESPN.
Rizzo won his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award last year as well as the Platinum Glove Award as the top defensive player in the National League, posting a .996 fielding percentage in 151 games. This year, Rizzo had a .998 fielding percentage, committing three errors in 155 starts. Other nominees for the Gold Glove at first base are the Reds' Joey Votto and the Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt.
• All-time NL Gold Glove Award winners
Heyward is a four-time Gold Glove winner, receiving the award in 2012, '14, '15 and '16. Other NL right fielders nominated include the Dodgers' Yasiel Puig and the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton. Heyward posted the fourth-highest fielding percentage among NL right fielders at .991 (Puig was second at .996 and Stanton was sixth at .988). Heyward also had six assists.
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Zobrist was named a finalist over teammate Javier Báez. Zobrist started 65 games at second base, posting a .988 fielding percentage and an .814 zone rating, while Baez started 56 games at second, had a .983 fielding percentage and .795 zone rating.
The other National League second base finalists are the Rockies' DJ LeMahieu and the Marlins' Dee Gordon.
This year's Gold Glove Awards represent just one way the game's top performers will be recognized. Voting is underway now for the Esurance MLB Awards, which annually honor MLB's greatest achievements as part of an industry-wide balloting process. MLB Awards season will culminate on Friday, Nov. 17, when winners are announced live on MLB Network and MLB.com starting at 8 p.m. ET.
• Cast your vote for Best Defensive Player, more in 2017 Esurance MLB Awards