Braves' Heyward named Defensive Player of the Year; Simmons top shortstop
The Braves' Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons added to their awards hauls Wednesday night. Heyward was named the overall Wilson Defensive Player of the Year, while Simmons was selected as the top shortstop.
The Wilson awards go to the best player at each position using a formula that includes scouting information, sabermetics and standard fielding statistics.
With Heyward winning at right field and Simmons at shortstop, Atlanta was one of three teams to have multiple positional winners, with the Dodgers claiming first base (Adrian Gonzalez) and third (Juan Uribe), while the Royals had left field (Alex Gordon) and center (Lorenzo Cain). Rounding out the team were the Tigers' Ian Kinsler at second base, Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto and Pirates catcher Russell Martin.
The Reds were named the Defensive Team of the Year.
Heyward and Simmons' nods come one day after they took their second Gold Gloves and gave Atlanta three straight years with a winner, as Heyward won in 2012 and Simmons in '13.
The past season, Heyward led all of baseball with 32 defensive runs saved and Simmons topped all shortstops in that metric with 28, finishing third in defensive WAR.
