Lorenzo Cain wins 2018 Fielding Bible Award as baseball’s best defensive center fielder

Lorenzo Cain of the Milwaukee Brewers won one of baseball’s highest honors: a Fielding Bible Award. The awards are ranked just below the Gold Glove as baseball’s top defensive honor, though many place a greater emphasis on the Fielding Bible Awards when it comes to who the top defenders are as contrary to most other baseball awards they rely more heavily on advanced metrics.

Twelve experts vote on each player, giving them a first place through 10th place vote. First place votes are worth 10 points, 10th place votes are worth one. Only one player in the National and American League can win for each position.

To be eligible, position players must play at least 600 innings, catchers 500 innings, pitched 120 innings, or have at least 10 defensive runs saved.

Cain managed 20 defensive runs saved during the season, fourth-best in all of baseball and the best outfielder. LoCain also had a 8.7 UZR, ranking him in the top 10 for all of baseball. That’s just a minor representation of his defensive prowess.

Two other Brewers were finalists for the award. Travis Shaw came in fourth for third basemen, Christian Yelich was 10th for left fielders and fifth for the multi-position award.

Cain is the first Brewer to win the award since Jonathan Lucroy in 2014. Carlos Gomez (2013) is the only other Milwaukee player to win the award.

For your enjoyment, check out some of LoCain’s top plays from 2018.

Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs