Tigers' Niko Goodrum, Jonathan Schoop surprising Gold Glove finalists

Tony Paul
The Detroit News

Detroit — In a bit of a surprise, the Tigers have a pair of Gold Glove finalists.

On Thursday, Jonathan Schoop was named a finalist for the American League award at second base, while Niko Goodman is a finalist at shortstop.

Niko Goodrum

Schoop's competition at second base includes Chicago's Danny Mendick and Cleveland's Cesar Hernandez, while Goodrum, who in 2020 was in his first season as a full-time shortstop after transitioning from a utility role, is up against Houston's Carlos Correa and Seattle's J.P. Crawford.

Neither Schoop, 29, or Goodrum, 28, has won a Gold Glove. In fact, none of the finalists for either position in the AL has won one before.

The Tigers have had two Gold Glove winners at second base in recent history, with Ian Kinsler in 2016 and Placido Polanco in 2009. They haven't had a winner at shortstop since Alan Trammell won the last of his four in 1984.

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Schoop was a pleasant surprise after signing a one-year, $6.1-million deal with the Tigers, offensively and defensively — he made one error in 174 chances — but his season was cut short with a wrist injury. He's not expected back in 2021.

Goodrum played 31 games at shortstop, after playing pretty much all over the diamond, infield and outfield, in previous seasons. Goodrum, who made one error at short in 117 chances, is considered one of the cornerstones of Detroit's ongoing rebuild.

The rest of the finalists:

American League

Pitcher: Griffin Canning, Angels; Kenta Maeda, Twins; Zach Plesac, Indians

Catcher: Yasmani Grandal, White Sox; James McCann, White Sox; Roberto Pérez, Indians

First base: Yuli Gurriel, Astros; Matt Olson, A's; Evan White, Mariners

Third base: Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers; Yoán Moncada, White Sox; Gio Urshela, Yankees

Left field: Alex Gordon, Royals; Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Blue Jays; Kyle Tucker, Astros

Center field: Byron Buxton, Twins; Ramón Laureano, A's; Luis Robert, White Sox

►Right field: Clint Frazier, Yankees, Joey Gallo, Rangers, Anthony Santander, Orioles

National League

Pitcher: Max Fried, Braves; Kyle Hendricks, Cubs; Alec Mills, Cubs

Catcher: Tucker Barnhart, Reds; Willson Contreras, Cubs; Jacob Stallings, Pirates

First base: Brandon Belt, Giants; Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals; Anthony Rizzo, Cubs

Second base: Adam Frazier, Pirates; Nico Hoerner, Cubs; Kolten Wong, Cardinals

Third base: Brian Anderson, Marlins; Nolan Arenado, Rockies; Manny Machado, Padres

Shortstop: Javier Báez, Cubs; Miguel Rojas, Marlins; Dansby Swanson, Braves

Left field: Shogo Akiyama, Reds; Tyler O'Neill, Cardinals; David Peralta, Diamondbacks

Center field: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves; Cody Bellinger, Dodgers; Trent Grisham, Padres

Right field: Mookie Betts, Dodgers; Charlie Blackmon, Rockies; Jason Heyward, Cubs

The winners will be announced at 7 p.m. Nov. 3.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tonypaul1984