Since breaking into the majors, Ke’Bryan Hayes has been regarded as one of the elite defenders in baseball.

Now, the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman has the hardware to prove it.

The 26-year-old Hayes became the first third baseman in franchise history to win an NL Gold Glove Award, presented Sunday night by Rawlings on ESPN.

Your 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winner - NL Third Base - Ke'Bryan Hayes#RawlingsGoldGloveAwards pic.twitter.com/5NFH7w6U0s

— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) November 6, 2023

Ke was always meant to be golden. pic.twitter.com/CLpY9oQ6sX

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) November 6, 2023

Hayes ended the 10-year streak of St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado, who tied Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt last year for the most Gold Gloves (10) by an NL third baseman.

Hayes was a finalist for the second consecutive year, joined by Colorado’s Ryan McMahon and Atlanta’s Austin Riley.

Hayes had six errors and led all MLB third baseman with defensive runs saved (21) and outs above average (17). His DRS ranked fourth in baseball behind outfielders Daulton Varsho of Toronto (29) and Fernando Tatis Jr. of San Diego (27) and Cleveland second baseman Andres Gimenez (23).

Hayes also led all all third basemen in fielding run value (13), per Statcast. By comparison, McMahon had 12 errors, a 17 defensive runs saved and 11 outs above average. Riley had 11 errors, nine defensive runs saved and zero outs above average.

“He took it to another level when you talk about defensive skill,” ESPN analyst Doug Glanville said of Hayes. “All directions, this guy was plus-plus. He could come in. He went left, right, to the line. Just had an incredible sense of timing, as well, and just got better as the season went on.”

'That's his baby': With love for an old glove, Pirates 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes goes for Gold

(Via TribLive) https://t.co/smPFw0D3a9

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) November 5, 2023

Related Ke’Bryan Hayes stories:

• Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenado edges Pirates’ Ke’Bryan Hayes for 10th NL Gold Glove • Now a finalist, Ke’Bryan Hayes has a chance to become 1st Pirates 3B to win NL Gold Glove • Good as gold? Pirates spoiled by 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes making spectacular plays

The other NL Gold Glove winners were Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker, Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner and shortstop Dansby Swanson, Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler, Cubs left fielder Ian Happ (Mt. Lebanon), Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle, Tatis in right field and Padres teammate Ha-Seong Kim as the utility player.

The American League Gold Glove winners were Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, Gimenez at second base, New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman, Rangers catcher Jonah Heim and Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios, Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan, Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia and Mauricio Dubon of the Houston Astros as the utility player.

Former Pirates first baseman Carlos Santana, who was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in late July, also was a finalist this year.

A total of 20 different Pirates have won a Rawlings Gold Glove since the award was first presented in 1958. The most recent Pirates player to win a Gold Glove was catcher Jacob Stallings in 2021.

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