Jacob Stallings wins Rawlings Gold Glove Award

November 8th, 2021

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings has been named a Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner for the first time in his career. The announcement was made today by Rawlings Sports Goods Co., Inc.

The 31-year-old Stallings led all Major League catchers in defensive runs saved (21) and pitch block rate (95.5%) this past season and was named a Gold Glove finalist for the second consecutive year. He also played 892 innings without allowing a passed ball in 2021, the only catcher in the Majors without a passed ball among those with at least 500 innings caught.

Stallings made a career-high 103 starts behind the plate and committed five errors among his 923 total chances; he finished the season having made just two errors in his last 68 games and 577 chances.

Stallings is the first Pittsburgh catcher to win a Gold Glove since Mike LaValliere in 1987 and is the third Pirates catcher overall to be recognized as the best at the position. Tony Pena also won three consecutive Gold Gloves while playing with the Pirates from 1983-85.

Since Rawlings began honoring players with Gold Gloves in 1957, this marks the 50th time the award has been won by a Pirates player, with Stallings becoming the 19th different player to do so.