Longoria beats Machado for AL Gold Glove at 3B

If you watched him all year – really, all of his young career – you know just how good of a defensive third baseman Manny Machado is. His reputation in the field is exemplary, though he has only been in the majors since 2012.

But the 25-year-old Orioles third baseman will not pick up his third Gold Glove in five seasons.

In a televised announcement on ESPN on Tuesday night, Machado lost to Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria, who wins the third of his career and first since 2010. Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez was the other AL finalist. Colorado’s Nolan Arenado, the player Machado is often compared to, won his fifth straight in the National League.

Machado studied film of how Longoria and last year’s winner, Adrian Beltre, played third base when Machado made the switch from shortstop in 2012. This year, Machado continued to excel in the field despite making 14 errors, the second most of his career. He continues to increase the level of difficulty with the plays he makes, and was third among AL third baseman in defensive runs saved this year with six. Longoria led the AL with 11.

The award is voted on by the game’s managers and coaches, but it also incorporates advanced defensive statistics into the equation.

Machado won the award in 2013 and 2015. This is the second consecutive year the Orioles had no Gold Glove winners.