SEOUL – The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) revealed the nominees for its prestigious Golden Glove awards on Wednesday, with recent Most Valuable Player (MVP) award winner Erick Fedde among the top contenders.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The KBO's Golden Gloves are presented in ten categories: pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, three outfielders, and a designated hitter (DH). Fedde, who clinched the MVP title on Monday with his league-leading 20 wins, 209 strikeouts, and a 2.00 ERA, is considered a strong candidate for the award.
Hanwha Eagles' third baseman Roh Si-hwan, runner-up in the MVP voting, is also likely to secure his first Golden Glove. Roh led the league with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs. Contrary to the defensive implication of the term "glove," the awards have historically been given to players with the best offensive and pitching statistics. However, defensive innings have been a part of the qualifying criteria since 2017, and the KBO introduced the KBO Fielding Award this year to better recognize defensive achievements.
At catcher, Yang Eui-ji of the Doosan Bears, the inaugural Fielding Award winner at his position, is aiming for his ninth career Golden Glove. The record for the most Golden Gloves is held by former first baseman and DH Lee Seung-yuop, with 10.
Nominees must meet specific criteria, including leading the league in at least one offensive category or having played a minimum number of innings at their fielding position. Pitchers must meet the minimum innings for the ERA title, and relief pitchers must have recorded significant wins, saves, or holds.
The LG Twins, the Korean Series champions, have the highest number of nominees with 12. Voting by baseball writers, broadcasters, and analysts began on Wednesday and will conclude on Friday, with the winners to be announced at an awards ceremony in Seoul on December 11.