Historically, second base was often the position where teams hid their least-capable defensive infielder, especially after defensive shifts became prevalent. An athletic shortstop or a rangy first baseman could easily compensate for deficiencies at the keystone. Recently, however, elite defense at second base has come back into vogue, driven in part by players like Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang.
Turang’s Established Track Record
Turang is one of only two second basemen to win the Platinum Glove since its introduction in 2011, joining Andrés Giménez (2023). He has firmly established himself as one of the premier infield defenders in baseball, regardless of position. Following his award-winning 2024 campaign, Turang was a Gold Glove finalist in 2025, ultimately finishing behind Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner in the voting.
The 2026 Race: Turang vs. Wetherholt
A year later, the narrative appears poised to repeat itself. Turang has been tremendous with the glove again in 2026, but another National League Central second baseman—St. Louis Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt—is pulling ahead in projections, at least according to MLB.com’s experts. That projection, however, may not tell the whole story. There is a compelling statistical argument that Turang should currently be considered the leader in the clubhouse for his second Gold Glove.
Dueling Metrics: OAA and FRV vs. DRS
The case for Wetherholt rests primarily on range-based metrics. He leads all major league second basemen in Outs Above Average (OAA) and Fielding Run Value (FRV) at +21 each. Those totals comfortably pace the position; for comparison, Turang ranks fourth in OAA and second in FRV at +12 each.
However, Turang has opened a similarly significant lead in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). His +21 DRS mark sits seven runs ahead of second-place Nasim Nuñez and eight ahead of Wetherholt. This divergence matters because OAA—and to a lesser extent FRV—is a range-based metric. Range is less critical for a second baseman than it is for a center fielder, given the position’s responsibilities.
DRS measures a more holistic sense of defensive capability, tuned specifically to a fielder’s ability to convert batted balls into outs. While range is a component, the metric weighs conversion efficiency more heavily, aligning closer with the traditional demands of the keystone position.
Voting History Favors DRS
Gold Glove voters have historically recognized this distinction. Turang won his Gold Glove (and Platinum Glove) in 2024 after posting a staggering +22 DRS, a total that literally lapped the field at the position. By contrast, his OAA and FRV that season were just +5 each, both ranking outside the top four among National League second basemen.
Snubs Are Nothing New
Snubs are familiar territory for Turang. If he loses the 2026 Gold Glove to Wetherholt, it would not come as a shock. However, voting history suggests the Brewers star possesses a better chance to win than the current national media consensus gives him credit for.
