2016 Wilson Defensive Player Of The Year Awards Announced On MLB Network

In addition to Betts, who was named the top defensive player in baseball, the following Major Leaguers were honored as the top defensive players at their respective positions: Zack Greinke (pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks), Buster Posey (catcher, San Francisco Giants), Anthony Rizzo (first baseman, Chicago Cubs), Dustin Pedroia (second baseman, Boston Red Sox), Nolan Arenado (third baseman, Colorado Rockies),  Brandon Crawford (shortstop, San Francisco Giants), Brett Gardner (left fielder, New York Yankees), Kevin Kiermaier (center fielder, Tampa Bay Rays) and Betts (right fielder, Boston Red Sox).

Betts, a first-time All-Star in 2016 and a first-time recipient of the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award, led MLB with 32 defensive runs saved. He is the youngest player ever (24) to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award.

The Giants, who reached the Postseason as a National League (NL) Wild Card team this year, set an NL record in 2016 for the longest errorless streak in league history, spanning more than 17 games. The Giants (Posey and Crawford) were one of two Clubs with multiple 2016 award winners (Red Sox).

Of the nine players honored, five (Greinke, Rizzo, Kiermaier, Gardner and Betts) are first-time winners, with five hailing from the NL and four from the American League. Pedroia, the overall Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, earned his third award this year while Posey, Crawford and Arenado won for the second time in their careers.

Wilson, the Official Glove of Major League Baseball, has handed out the Defensive Player of the Year awards at the conclusion of each season since 2012.  The winners are determined using a formula that combines traditional defensive stats with advanced metrics, as well as the data logged by the baseball experts working for the scouting service Inside Edge.

For more information about the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year awards and for a complete list of past winners, please visit http://atmlb.com/1NnGOle.

To learn more about Wilson Baseball, please visit Wilson.com or follow Wilson on Instagram (@WilsonBallGlove), Twitter (@WilsonBallGlove) and Facebook (@WilsonBaseball).

The 2016 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award winners, by position, are:

• (P) Zack Greinke – Arizona Diamondbacks
• (C) Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants
• (1B) Anthony Rizzo – Chicago Cubs
• (2B) Dustin Pedroia – Boston Red Sox
• (3B) Nolan Arenado – Colorado Rockies
• (SS) Brandon Crawford – San Francisco Giants
• (LF) Brett Gardner – New York Yankees
• (CF) Kevin Kiermaier – Tampa Bay Rays
• (RF) Mookie Betts – Boston Red Sox*
• Defensive Team of the Year – San Francisco Giants
• Betts named overall 2016 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year*

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Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., a subsidiary of Amer Sports, is one of the world's leading manufacturer of sports equipment, apparel and accessories. As the Official Ball Glove of Major League Baseball^® for over 20 years, Wilson develops high performance products for baseball and softball athletes and uses player insights to develop products that push equipment innovation into new territories. Wilson currently makes and sells high performance gloves, bats, uniforms, apparel, protective gear, accessories, and player development equipment and tools.  Through the Company's dedication to creating products that enable athletes at every level to perform at their best, Wilson has earned its place as a leader in sporting goods for over a century.

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