[OmahaBaseball]

Glove Wizards Shine Across Carolina League

In a league where offense often grabs the headlines, the Carolina League took time to honor the players who turn hits into outs and make the spectacular look routine. The annual Glove Wizard Awards recognize the top defensive players at each position, and this year’s winners earned their reputation with quick reflexes, sure hands, and flawless fundamentals.

Pitcher: Seth Keener (Kannapolis Cannon Ballers / Chicago White Sox)
Keener proved that defense doesn’t stop when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. The Cannon Ballers right-hander displayed cat-like instincts on comebackers, finishing the year without a single fielding error on 20 total chances in 133 innings played.


Catcher: Jesus Chirinos (Carolina Mudcats / Milwaukee Brewers)
Chirinos anchored the Mudcats’ defense with a commanding presence behind the plate. His strong arm deterred would-be base stealers, and his soft hands turned borderline pitches into strikes. Chirinos committed just 2 errors in 1189 total chances, while throwing out 10 runners and allowing only 7 passed balls.


First Base: Xavier Casserilla (Fayetteville Woodpeckers / Houston Astros)
Casserilla’s sure glove and nimble footwork saved countless infielders from throwing errors. He turned the first base bag into a fortress, scooping up low throws and flashing soft hands on tough hops. On the season, he committed just 1 error on 657 total chances (.998%) and helped turn 64 double plays.


Second Base: Moises Paiva (Fredericksburg Nationals / Washington Nationals)
Paiva was the steady heartbeat of the Nationals’ infield, combining quick turns on double plays with smooth range to both sides. His reliability up the middle kept Fredericksburg in tight games all summer. On the season, Paiva fielded 332 total chances and committed 6 errors (.982%) while help turning 55 double plays.


Third Base: Chris Seise (Charleston RiverDogs / Tampa Bay Rays)
Seise brought the hot corner to life with lightning reflexes and a strong arm. Whether charging slow rollers or diving to his left, he made tough plays look effortless. Despite being released by the Rays just prior to the announcement, the season that Seise put together was outstanding as he manned the hot corner with just 1 miscue in 179 total chances (.994%) while assisting in 13 double plays in 678 2/3 total innings.


Shortstop: Luis Ravelo (Salem Red Sox / Boston Red Sox)
Ravelo’s highlight-reel range and precise throws made him the anchor of Salem’s defense. His ability to handle both routine grounders and deep-in-the-hole rockets set him apart as the league’s top shortstop. Ravelo committed 6 errors on 298 total chances (.980%) and was involved in 42 double plays in 679 2/3 innings.


Left Field: Alejandro Pie (Charleston RiverDogs / Tampa Bay Rays)
Pie covered ground like few others in left, showing excellent reads off the bat and the arm strength to gun down runners at second and home. With a perfect fielding record (0 errors in 150 total chances), Pie is a formidable outfielder.


Center Field: Tavian Josenberger (Delmarva Shorebirds / Baltimore Orioles)
A true field general, Josenberger’s speed and instincts turned would-be extra-base hits into easy outs. His closing speed in the gaps made pitchers breathe easier. With an astounding 11.3 arm runs, Josenberger's cannon for an arm, coupled to his 4 errors in 207 total chances (.981%) makes it that other teams are very aware of his talents.


Right Field: Henry Ramos (Columbia Fireflies / Kansas City Royals)
Ramos combined hustle, strong routes, and a cannon arm to lock down right field. Opposing base runners thought twice before challenging him. Ramos posted 5.8 arm runs and just 2 errors on 126 total chances (.984%) in 619 innings played.