This blog post digs into the recent announcement of the 2025 National League Platinum Glove Award and the razor-thin margin that kept Chicago Cubs’ center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong from grabbing the honor.
Crow-Armstrong had just picked up his first Gold Glove, and by the numbers, he was right there with baseball’s elite defenders. But fan voting swung toward San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. instead.
Let’s take a closer look at the story, the award’s background, and what the advanced stats say about this surprising outcome.
Platinum Glove Award – Prestige and Popularity
Back in 2011, the Platinum Glove Award made its debut to recognize the top overall defensive player in each league.
Unlike the Gold Glove, which coaches and managers help decide (with some stats tossed in), this one’s all about the fans. So, popularity, big names, and even the size of a player’s market can matter just as much as defensive numbers—maybe more.
This Year’s National League Winner
On Friday night, Major League Baseball named Fernando Tatis Jr. as the NL’s Platinum Glove recipient. His defense was strong, but it didn’t quite stack up to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s numbers.
Still, Tatis’s flair and national profile clearly struck a chord with voters. That probably made all the difference.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Defensive Masterclass
Crow-Armstrong turned in an outstanding year in his first full season patrolling center field for the Cubs. He brought range, precision, and a steady glove that put him among the best defenders in baseball.
Elite Metrics Tell the Story
Advanced metrics really paint the picture here:
- 24 Outs Above Average (OAA) – Led all of MLB, tied with AL standout Bobby Witt Jr.
- 22 Runs Prevented – Best in the league by a wide margin.
- 15 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) – Ninth overall in MLB, tying with Tatis.
- 2.0 defensive WAR – Ranked fifth in the National League.
- 427 putouts – Most among all MLB outfielders.
- .995 fielding percentage – Fourth in the NL.
Crow-Armstrong didn’t just rack up highlight-reel catches—though there were plenty. He brought game-to-game reliability that kept runs off the board, and that’s something numbers can’t always capture.
Team Success Amplifies Individual Achievements
The Cubs defense in 2025 played a huge role in their competitive edge. They finished second in MLB with 84 Defensive Runs Saved as a team.
This collective performance earned them the NL Team Gold Glove Award.
Other Cubs Honorees
Beyond Crow-Armstrong’s Gold Glove, the Cubs’ defensive strength showed up in individual wins for:
- Nico Hoerner – Gold Glove at second base.
- Ian Happ – Gold Glove in left field.
With multiple award winners and top-tier defensive metrics, Chicago’s unit set a serious benchmark for the league.
Understanding the Platinum Glove Disparity
How does a player lead almost every key defensive stat and still miss out on the “best overall defender” award? The Platinum Glove’s voting system is the answer.
Fan voting rewards visibility and star power, plain and simple. Tatis Jr., already one of baseball’s most recognizable faces, had a built-in advantage—even though he ranked lower in several major metrics.
Statistical Leaders vs. Popular Vote
This year’s results highlight an old debate: should the Platinum Glove be about pure stats, or is it really for the player fans feel best represents defensive greatness?
In Crow-Armstrong’s case, his incredible numbers just couldn’t outshine the force of Tatis’s fan base and celebrity.
Looking Ahead
For Pete Crow-Armstrong, that razor-thin miss in Platinum Glove voting feels more like a starting line than a finish. The guy’s only 22, but he’s got this wild mix of range, instincts, and pure athleticism that hints at a shelf full of Gold Gloves—maybe even a Platinum someday.
Baseball loves its home runs, sure, but Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 season nudged everyone: run prevention wins games, too. The award went to someone else this time around.
Still, if you’re a Chicago fan or just someone who geeks out over defense, you saw the same thing—by almost any metric, Pete Crow-Armstrong was the National League’s top defender this season.
Here is the source article for this story: Fernando Tatis Jr. beats out Pete Crow-Armstrong for NL Platinum Glove
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