[OmahaBaseball]

South Atlantic League Honors the 2024 Glove Wizards

“Hit ’em where they ain’t” might be a time-tested hitting mantra, but it loses its punch when defenders seem to materialize out of thin air. Across the South Atlantic League this season, those defensive standouts routinely turned would-be hits into loud outs, and today they finally step into the spotlight as the 2024 Glove Wizard Award winners.

Leading the group is Thomas Harrington (18 TC / 1.000%) of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, whose quick reactions and athleticism off the mound shut down countless bunt and chopper attempts. Behind the plate, Dominic Keegan (1231 TC / .998%) of Bowling Green commanded the Hot Rods’ defense with soft hands, steady blocking, and a knack for erasing would-be base stealers.

At first base, Greensboro’s Garret Forrester (901 TC / .999%) anchored the infield with sure-handed consistency, while Hickory’s Cameron Cauley (290 TC / .997%) brought exceptional range and smooth turns to second. The hot corner belonged to Eddinson Paulino (125 TC / .992%) of Greenville, whose reflexes and arm strength turned line-drive threats into routine outs. At shortstop, Greensboro’s Jack Brannigan (398 TC / .990%) dazzled with acrobatic plays deep in the hole and a reliable internal clock.

In the outfield, the Drive’s Eduardo Lopez (172 TC / 1.000%) patrolled left with fearless routes and dependable jumps. Cesar Yanquiel Hernandez of Asheville (360 TC / .989%) covered center field gap-to-gap with ease, often turning extra-base hits into long, frustrated walks back to the dugout. Rounding out the trio, Hickory’s Alejandro Osuna (143 TC / .986%) brought a cannon arm and smooth strides to right field.

Together, these nine defensive dynamos defined excellence with the glove—and left a long trail of robbed hits to prove it.