Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez finishes as runner-up in AL Gold Glove voting
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Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez finished as a runner-up to Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela for the American League Gold Glove in center field on Sunday. The multi-talented player refers to his spot on T-Mobile Park as the 'No-Fly Zone' as he has been one of the American League's premier defenders in his four years in Major League Baseball.
It was the second time Rodríguez was nominated for the Gold Glove award, and he's still in search of his first such honor. It's one of the few accolades the 24-year-old has yet achieved. He's already a former Rookie of the Year, a three-time All-Star, and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.
He was a vital piece of this year's Seattle squad, one that went 90-72 and clinched the franchise's first AL West Division title in 24 years. He and the Mariners came within just a few outs of becoming the first Seattle team to ever make it to the World Series before eventually falling to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
Julio Rodriguez is a 'Do Everything' Type of Player
Earlier this season, Seattle skipper Dan Wilson --- a longtime Mariners player, coach, and now manager --- spoke about Rodríguez’s defensive prowess and how it stacks up with some of the team's past greats.
“I remember the great center fielders that we had,” Wilson said. "They save you nine times out of 10. Catchers (and) pitchers absolutely love that, and Julio’s been that guy in center field where he’s been able to really track it down.
See how easy this is?
— The WARmonger (@TheWARmonger_) May 4, 2025
Julio makes a tough play look simple, with a good jump (+4.1 feet) and a good route (96.7%).
Just a 50% catch probability. Lesser outfielders are making Sportscenter here with a diving highlight reel catch: pic.twitter.com/sPRtdH5cxj
"That initial jump on the ball is really important, and I think that is something that you won’t notice about Julio because he does have great speed and you just kind of chalked it up to the speed,” Wilson added. “But that first step, that read off the bat, whether he has to come in or go back, he makes those reads so well, and he comes in a long way for a ball and you don’t realize that was really based on his first step. … To me, that’s been a big separator for him.”
