Greinke, Ahmed earn Gold Glove Awards
This browser does not support the video element.
The D-backs had two players win Gold Glove Awards on Sunday, one of whom has quite a bit of experience in receiving the honor, and another who did so for the first time.
Zack Greinke won his fifth consecutive Gold Glove Award, continuing his dominance as the best defensive pitcher in the National League. And shortstop Nick Ahmed won his first, following his first healthy season since 2015.
• Complete offseason awards coverage
Greinke became the first pitcher to win five straight Gold Glove Awards since Hall of Famer Greg Maddux from 2004-08. The veteran right-hander tied with the Braves' Julio Teheran for the Major League lead among pitchers with seven defensive runs saved in '18, and leads NL pitchers in DRS since '14, with 32. In second place is Teheran, with 22.
Although Greinke spent a decade in the Majors before winning his first career Gold Glove Award, he has been consistently excellent in fielding his position from his age 30-to-34 seasons.
This browser does not support the video element.
Ahmed was limited by injury to a combined 143 games from 2016-17. But the 28-year-old shortstop played in a career-high 153 games in '18. His 21 defensive runs saved had him tied with the Angels' Andrelton Simmons for most among Major League shortstops, and second-most among all players.
Though it may come as a mild surprise to many that Ahmed won the Gold Glove over prominent shortstops like the Giants' Brandon Crawford, Ahmed had 19 defensive runs saved in '15, the last time he played more than 90 games in a season.
This browser does not support the video element.
Right fielder Jon Jay was another D-backs nominee for a Gold Glove Award, but finished with the Cubs' Jason Heyward as runner-up to the Braves' Nick Markakis. In a season split between Kansas City and Arizona, Jay's six defensive runs saved came in 446 2/3 innings in right field.