Former Wolfpacker Patrick Bailey was SNUBBED from winning a Platinum Glove (best defender in MLB)

This year, Bobby Witt, the Kansas City Royals SS, and Fernando Tatis Jr, Padres OF, won the Platinum Gloves (best defender in MLB regardless of position, by league). But it very well could have gone to former NC State backstop Patrick Bailey, who had an unreal defensive season for the San Francisco Giants.

Matthew Knauer makes a compelling case on X…

He didn’t win the Platinum Glove, but Patrick Bailey is without a doubt baseball’s best defender. Even with a 70 wRC+, he racked up 3.2 WAR — an incredibly valuable piece for the Giants.

A thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/w4RLLjUg10

— Matthew Knauer (@matthewk36711) November 8, 2025

In the “shadow” of the strike zone, he converted 47.7% of pitches to strikes. MLB average is 42.2%. And it’s not just one pitch type. He leads baseball in framing runs on fastballs (16), breaking balls (6), and offspeeds (2). pic.twitter.com/TwOMebjqX0

— Matthew Knauer (@matthewk36711) November 8, 2025

In years past, Bailey had received flak for his blocking ability and passed balls. That’s no longer an issue.

Blocks above avg.

2023: -9
2024: -1
2025: 5

— Matthew Knauer (@matthewk36711) November 8, 2025

Do you agree? Should Bailey have been awarded the Platinum Glove?