Jays Journal
FanSided

Daulton Varsho finally earns his first Gold Glove Award

The beloved Jays outfielder finally gets the recognition he absolutely deserves

ByEdward Eng|
Aug 14, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Daulton Varsho (25) attempts to catch a fly ball double by Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward (not pictured) in the second inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Aug 14, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Daulton Varsho (25) attempts to catch a fly ball double by Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward (not pictured) in the second inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

For many years now, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho has been known to be one of the top defenders in the major leagues. Season after season, one would find Varsho’s name littered across the leaderboard for many defensive statistical categories. However, for whatever reason, he has yet to be recognized as a legitimate Gold Glove winner. That is, until now. 

On Sunday, Varsho was officially named the 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner for the American League center field position, beating out finalists Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox and Jake Meyers of the Houston Astros. Varsho finally got the award that he truly deserved after all these years. After all, he has accumulated 83 DRS, 26 outfield assists and having committed only seven errors over 1082 total chances for a sparkling .994 fielding percentage in his career manning the outfield. With all of the spectacular defensive plays that he has often made look so routine like the one shown below, Varsho has finally been rewarded for all of his hard work and determination.

For this past season with the Jays, Varsho has continued his defensive excellence, registering 28 DRS (with 16 of them coming from the center field position) along with a .994 fielding percentage (.995 as a centre fielder) over 136 games played (94 as a centre fielder). His 28 DRS led all MLB players in 2024 with Duran being a distant second with 23 DRS. On top of that, Varsho helped led the Jays in becoming the number one defensive team in the league with a total of 102 DRS collectively as a group.

Varsho had already captured two Fielding Bible awards a couple of weeks earlier, the Multi-Position Award and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award. With the latest Gold Glove enshrinement, it has further cemented his status as one of the best in the business. 

Just for good measure, Varsho also put together a solid season at the plate, compiling a .700 OPS with 73 runs scored, 21 doubles, seven triples, 18 home runs, 58 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 136 games played. It showed that he could get things done not only just in the field but potentially at the plate as well.

The Jays will likely continue to look to Varsho to be their defensive general in the outfield for the foreseeable future, with more Gold Gloves waiting for him along the way. 

Home/Toronto Blue Jays News

Schedule