Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke wins top award for stellar defense this season
Veteran Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke was recognized for his on-field performance Thursday afternoon.
Greinke was named a 2023 Fielding Bible Award winner at the pitcher position for his strong defensive work on the mound.
Sports Info Solutions annually honors the best defensive players in Major League Baseball. It’s the 18th season of the Fielding Bible Awards. A panel of experts review statistics and compile the team of honorees.
Greinke has won three Fielding Bible Awards in his career. He is the first Royals pitcher to win the award and the fifth Royal to receive the honor. Former Royals Whit Merrifield and Michael A. Taylor were the last Royals to be recognized, in 2021.
This season, Greinke recorded six Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). He is also the all-time leader among pitchers with 93 DRS in his career. Greinke’s five pickoffs also matched a career-high set in 2012.
Greinke recently finished his 20th MLB season. He will be a free agent after spending the last two seasons with the Royals.
Grienke pitched five innings against the New York Yankees in his final start of the year. He won his 225th career game and received a standing ovation from Royals fans at Kauffman Stadium.
Greinke has not announced his plans for next season. There is a chance he could retire or decide to play for another organization.
Royals make roster moves
The Royals continue to prepare for the 2023 offseason, placing four players on waivers.
Relief pitchers Taylor Hearn and Tucker Davidson joined catcher Tyler Cropley on the waiver wire. Outfielder Bubba Thompson, acquired from the Rangers, was also placed on waivers.
Davidson was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles. He appeared in 20 games with the Royals after being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels. Davidson posted a 5.03 ERA in 19 2/3 innings with the Royals.
Thompson was claimed by the Cincinnati Reds. The speedster did not appear in major-league games with the Royals but hit .259 with four home runs, 17 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 33 games with Triple-A Omaha.
Hearn cleared outright waivers and elected for free agency. He allowed seven runs in eight games with the Royals.
Cropley cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Omaha. He appeared in two games with the Royals this season. He primarily served as a backup catcher due to injuries to Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin at different points in the season.
