Bleacher Report's Final 2014 MLB Gold Glove Predictions

An airtight defense makes all the difference—just look at the Kansas City Royals.

It comes as no surprise that the ballot for the 2014 MLB Gold Glove awards is loaded with players from manager Ned Yost's squad. With finalists having been named at the nine positions apiece in the American League and National League, the only question is just which big leaguers will take home the trophies.

As for the criteria, 75 percent of the vote will be determined by major league managers and coaches. For the second year in a row, the Society for American Baseball Research's Defensive Index makes up the final 25 percent of the vote. The winners will be announced Tuesday, November 4, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

From Alex Gordon to Alcides Escobar, the Royals promise to be well represented among this year's winners, and Kansas City isn't the only playoff team that could grab multiple Gold Gloves.

AL Pitcher

The Finalists

• Mark Buehrle, Toronto Blue Jays
• Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
• Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros

The Predicted Winner: Dallas Keuchel

Dallas Keuchel made Gold Glove-caliber plays even when he wasn't trying.

Back in May, the lefty kicked a grounder that ricocheted off his foot and landed in the glove of Houston Astros first baseman Jesus Guzman, who recorded the out, as you can see in the video above.

Throughout the season, the 26-year-old provided the Astros with tons of defensive value. Keuchel saved 10 more runs on defense than the average pitcher, according to Baseball Info Solutions' calculations on Baseball-Reference.

NL Pitcher

The Finalists

• Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

The Predicted Winner: Clayton Kershaw

It's going to be a busy awards season for Clayton Kershaw.

The Los Angeles Dodgers ace has an excellent shot at winning the NL Cy Young and MVP trophies, and he should add the Gold Glove to his resume as well. In 2014, Kershaw led NL pitchers with seven runs saved, per Baseball Info Solutions.

His teammate Zack Greinke is also worth a mention. Last year, the right-hander made just a single error, which also happened to be his first since 2010.

AL Catcher

The Finalists

• Alex Avila, Detroit Tigers
• Yan Gomes, Cleveland Indians
• Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals 

The Predicted Winner: Salvador Perez

For the second year in a row, Salvador Perez is on track to take home the AL Gold Glove at catcher.

The 24-year-old was remarkably consistent behind the plate for the Kansas City Royals in 2014, starting 143 games. In the process, he piled up the most innings on defense of any catcher in baseball. As Perez explained prior to the World Series, via Tyler Kepner of The New York Times, he enjoys every aspect of being a backstop.

"I like everything," Perez said. "I like to block some balls, I like to throw out, I like to call the game—and we're on camera every time!"

Even though he stands 6'3", Perez is remarkably agile, as you can see in the video above when he springs up to field a bunt from the San Francisco Giants' Gregor Blanco.

NL Catcher

The Finalists

• Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers
• Russell Martin, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals 

The Predicted Winner: Russell Martin

There's no bad choice when it comes to picking the NL Gold Glove winner at catcher.

Yadier Molina is the gold standard behind the dish, and Jonathan Lucroy became an All-Star in 2014. Still, Russell Martin's all-around defensive dominance can't be ignored.

For the Pittsburgh Pirates, Martin saved 12 runs, which was more than Molina (eight) and Lucroy (11), per FanGraphs. He also has a cannon of an arm, throwing out an MLB-best 37 attempted base stealers.

AL First Base

The Finalists

• Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
• Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals
• Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels

The Predicted Winner: Eric Hosmer

This is one of the easier calls to make.

Miguel Cabrera appears to have earned a nod as a finalist thanks primarily to his prominence within baseball, and Albert Pujols only played 116 games at first in 2014. Meanwhile, Eric Hosmer is an absolute weapon in the field. The athletic 25-year-old had the third-highest range factor in the AL, per MLB.com.

For Hosmer, a Gold Glove would be his second in as many years.

NL First Base

The Finalists

• Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals
• Justin Morneau, Colorado Rockies

The Predicted Winner: Adrian Gonzalez

It's easy to miss just how effective a defender Adrian Gonzalez is, as John Dewan of The Fielding Bible writes:

"

Every aspect of Gonzalez's defensive game is superb. He fields his position well, does a great job with difficult throws, and handles bunts and double plays with the best of them. But he's not flashy. Just consistently excellent.

"

For the 32-year-old, a Gold Glove would be the fourth of his career, but his first since 2011.

Aside from Gonzalez, there's a strong case to be made for Justin Morneau to win the award. The veteran first baseman checked in with a .997 fielding percentage, which tied for the highest mark in baseball.

AL Second Base

The Finalists

• Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
• Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers
• Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

The Predicted Winner: Dustin Pedroia

It's nearly impossible to say who's a better defender between Dustin Pedroia and Ian Kinsler. Both are without question among the top defensive second basemen in the big leagues. According to FanGraphs, Kinsler (20) saved more runs in the field than Pedroia (17). However, Pedroia has a better Ultimate Zone Rating (18.3) than Kinsler (13).

Ultimately, the reputation of the three-time Gold Glove-winning Pedroia will give the Boston Red Sox second baseman the edge over Kinsler.

NL Second Base

The Finalists

• DJ LeMahieu, Colorado Rockies
• Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds
• Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies

The Predicted Winner: DJ LeMahieu

Brandon Phillips, winner of three of the last four NL Gold Gloves, has the name recognition. However, this year DJ LeMahieu deserves to win the award.

The Colorado Rockies second baseman played standout defense at Coors Field. Per FanGraphs, the 26-year-old saved 10 more runs than Phillips and 13 more than Chase Utley. Phillips' candidacy is also hurt by the fact that a thumb injury limited him to 121 games.

AL Third Base

The Finalists

• Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
• Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics
• Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners

The Predicted Winner: Josh Donaldson

Josh Donaldson is fearless at third base.

The Oakland Athletics All-Star is famous for his diving catches and isn't afraid to crash into a tarp when necessary.

For Donaldson, snagging the Gold Glove would have major financial implications. The 28-year-old is arbitration eligible this winter, and he's set to earn a monster raise from the $500,000 salary he earned in 2014.

NL Third Base

The Finalists

• Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
• Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants
• Juan Uribe, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Predicted Winner: Juan Uribe

It's particularly difficult to predict a winner at third base because both Nolan Arenado and Juan Uribe missed considerable time during the 2014 season due to injuries.

Uribe started just 98 games, but when he was out on the diamond he caught everything that came his way. According to FanGraphs, he saved more runs than either Sandoval or Arenado. That's especially impressive considering Sandoval started 150 contests.

For Uribe, winning the Gold Glove would be the first time he's earned that distinction in his 14-year career.

AL Shortstop

The Finalists

• Alcides Escobar, Kansas City Royals
• J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles
• Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox

The Predicted Winner: Alcides Escobar

Alcides Escobar is yet another Kansas City Royal who is on his way to scooping up a Gold Glove Award.

There simply aren't that many baseball players who can do what he does at shortstop. In 2014, the 27-year-old consistently made exceptional plays look routine. Now, it's only a matter of time before Escobar is rewarded with the AL Gold Glove at the most demanding spot on the diamond.

NL Shortstop

The Finalists

• Zack Cozart, Cincinnati Reds
• Adeiny Hechavarria, Miami Marlins
• Andrelton Simmons, Atlanta Braves

The Predicted Winner: Andrelton Simmons

With all due respect to Zack Cozart and Adeiny Hechavarria, there's no debate here.

This Gold Glove belongs to Andrelton Simmons.

For the second year in a row, the Atlanta Brave was the unanimous winner of The Fielding Bible Award at shortstop, per John Dewan. The 25-year-old is also set to win his second consecutive Gold Glove thanks to his ridiculous range and his unreal throwing arm.

AL Left Field

The Finalists

• Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians
• Yoenis Cespedes, Boston Red Sox
• Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals

The Predicted Winner: Alex Gordon

This one is another landslide.

Michael Brantley is a standout left fielder, and Yoenis Cespedes has the most electric throwing arm in baseball, but this Gold Glove is going to Alex Gordon. The 30-year-old is the fourth and final Kansas City Royal who should earn a Gold Glove. However, it could have been five if Lorenzo Cain hadn't been inexplicably left off the ballot in center field.

Gordon not only had his best season ever, but one of the best campaigns by any left fielder in recent memory. As John Dewan of The Fielding Bible writes, the three-time Gold Glove winner saved 27 runs, which is the highest total since the stat was first tracked in 2003.

NL Left Field

The Finalists

• Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves
• Christian Yelich, Miami Marlins

The Predicted Winner: Christian Yelich

Christian Yelich has an excellent shot at winning the NL Gold Glove for left fielders in his first full season in the big leagues.

Per FanGraphs, the 22-year-old led all NL players at that spot with 13 runs saved. The Miami Marlin also had six assists, which tied for the second-most in the NL.

AL Center Field

The Finalists

• Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox
• Adam Eaton, Chicago White Sox
• Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles

The Predicted Winner: Adam Eaton

In 2014, no center fielder played better defense than Jackie Bradley Jr. The 24-year-old covered all sorts of ground in the outfield at Fenway Park and racked up 13 assists to lead the AL at his position.

However, there is a complication to Bradley's candidacy. The left-handed hitter was so poor at the plate that the Boston Red Sox actually demoted him to Triple-A in August. As Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe explains, voters "traditionally have favored the better all-around players." Fair or not, that means this award will likely go to Adam Eaton of the Chicago White Sox.

NL Center Field

The Finalists

• Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds
• Juan Lagares, New York Mets
• Denard Span, Washington Nationals

The Predicted Winner: Juan Lagares

Juan Lagares has this Gold Glove locked up.

The New York Mets center fielder had six assists in 2014 even though baserunners rarely challenged him. Plus, the 25-year-old covers more square footage than any outfielder in the NL. Overall, Lagares saved 28 runs for the Mets, which was nearly twice as many as any other center fielder in the league, per FanGraphs.

AL Right Field

The Finalists

• Kole Calhoun, Los Angeles Angels
• Kevin Kiermaier, Tampa Bay Rays
• Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles

Predicted Winner: Nick Markakis

This Gold Glove is up for grabs.

Kevin Kiermaier led AL right fielders with 14 runs saved, per FanGraphs. That's remarkable considering the 24-year-old began the season playing for the Tampa Bay Rays' Triple-A club. Overall, Kiermaier only started 57 games in right, which could dent his chances of claiming the award.

Ultimately, Nick Markakis could win the Gold Glove on the strength of his left arm. The veteran totaled 11 assists, which ranked second among AL right fielders.

NL Right Field

The Finalists

• Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves
• Gerardo Parra, Milwaukee Brewers
• Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins

The Predicted Winner: Jason Heyward 

It's difficult to explain just how valuable Jason Heyward is on defense.

One way to look at it is to consider that the 25-year-old saved 32 runs in 2014 and the next closest NL right fielder checked in at eight, per FanGraphs. Another is to consider that he essentially took away 20 doubles last year, according to John Dewan of The Fielding Bible.

Any way you look at it, Heyward is the best right fielder in the NL, if not all of baseball.

Note: All stats and videos courtesy of MLB.com. All advanced stats courtesy of Baseball Info Solutions on Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.