Cody Bellinger's throw home against Boston had almost no margin for error. It also showed why the Yankees left fielder is taking home another Gold Glove.
With the tying run at third, Bellinger caught a fly ball and fired a one-hop throw to Austin Wells, who tagged Ceddanne Rafaela to complete an inning-ending double play. New York won 1-0. On Sunday, Bellinger earned the American League award in left field.
The throw was clocked at 99.7 mph, Bryan Hoch reported for MLB.com . It was New York's third-fastest tracked outfield assist since Statcast began recording them in 2015. Bellinger also produced six outs above average in left, giving the case substance beyond a single play.
Oct 3, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) catches a fly ball in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game one of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
That distinction matters. A memorable assist shows the arm; range determines whether the outfielder reaches the next ball at all. Bellinger offered the Yankees both in 2026.
The award is his second, after winning in right field with the Dodgers in 2019. Brett Gardner was the last Yankee to win it in left, in 2016.
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Defensive numbers are estimates and can vary with positioning and sample size. The counterargument to putting too much weight on an award is that coaches and evaluators need to review the plays behind the numbers, not assume last season's results will automatically repeat.
The Yankees should use the winter to maintain the throwing and positioning work that produced those results. On a roster whose offense drew plenty of criticism after the postseason, Bellinger's glove was a part of the season that deserved recognition.
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