Denard Span Wins Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for Nationals

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award’s were announced on Thursday, on MLB Network and Denard Span came out a winner for the Nationals. Span was undoubtedly the best defender on the Nationals team throughout the entire season. He was one of the best center fielders in the entire Major Leagues in my opinion.

In just over 1300 innings played in the field Span had 384 chances and had 0 errors. Yes, I said ZERO errors in the entire season. That is absolutely crazy for an entire season. Yes you shouldn’t make errors as an outfielder but every once in a while a mistake happens. Well for Denard Span he didn’t make one mistake in the field in 2013.

Span was first in the National League as a center fielder in Total Zone Runs Saved. This stat combines five other defensive stats into one and makes it one of the best stats for a defender. He had 16 total zone runs saved which in the National League was fifth as an outfielder.

It wasn’t like Span let balls drop in front of him either. He had the third best range factor as a center fielder in the National League. He finished with a 2.51 range factor. Range Factor comes down to (putouts+assists)/games played.

Span finished 2013 with five total assists and one double play. He also had the second most putouts in the National League with 379.

Overall, Span was one of the best defensive center fielders in the National League. He is well deserving of this award and joins Ian Desmond as the second National to win an award in as many days.

Congrats Denard on the fabulous season and well deserved award!