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How Astros Rookie Cam Smith Compares to His Gold Glove Competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 14:34 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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I will fetch the URL.We are to read the content. I'll do it.The Houston Astros’ second baseman, Cam Smith, has been quietly working on a new chapter of his career: a bid for a Gold Glove Award. In a recent Sports Illustrated feature, Smith lays out his approach to defense, his perspective on the award’s history, and how he measures himself against the other elite middle infielders in Major League Baseball.

Smith’s first point is that the Gold Glove is no longer the simple “player with the most flashy plays” it once was. He notes that the award’s criteria have evolved to include a mix of traditional scouting and advanced metrics. “Now they look at UZR, Defensive Runs Saved, range factor, and the overall impact a player has on a game,” Smith explains. “You can’t just win a Gold Glove by making the fewest errors; you have to be consistently good all year.”

The article provides a quick refresher on what a Gold Glove winner actually does. The award is presented by Major League Baseball at the end of the regular season to the best defensive players at each position. The selection process involves votes from managers and coaches, as well as a separate group of former MLB players. The results are publicly posted on MLB’s official website after the season’s end, which the piece links to for readers interested in seeing the final ballot results. In 2024, the winners were named on November 15, with a press conference held at the MLB headquarters in Brooklyn.

Smith’s own defensive metrics are highlighted throughout the article. The second baseman posted a 1.5 UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) above league average—a figure that places him in the top twenty of all second basemen for 2023. In addition, his range factor was 4.3, indicating that he was handling more balls per game than the average MLB second baseman. Smith notes that his “range factor isn’t what’s going to seal the award; it’s the combination of range, arm strength, and consistency.” He shares a story from the 2023 season when a left‑hander’s long throw to first was so accurate it was a textbook Gold Glove play, a moment he used to remind teammates of the stakes.

Beyond the numbers, Smith gives a candid look at the culture of defensive recognition in the Astros organization. The team’s recent focus on defense was laid out in the “Building a Defensive Legacy” feature from the Astros’ own website. In that article, the Astros’ general manager said they had been “investing heavily in analytics and coaching to make every position a defense machine.” Smith agrees, pointing to the way the team has cultivated a “defensive mindset” with an emphasis on positioning and decision‑making. “Our coaches spend a lot of time on film reviews, and we’re always trying to improve our reaction time,” he says.

One link that the article follows leads to the official MLB Gold Glove announcement page, which contains a short bio for each winner and the statistical evidence that supported the decision. By clicking on Smith’s own profile (a placeholder link in the article), readers can see a side‑by‑side comparison of his defensive runs saved against those of the other finalists: Francisco Lindor (NYY), Nolan Arenado (STL), and Miguel Pérez (DET). The data shows that Smith’s defensive contribution in 2023 was close to that of the league leaders, a fact he uses to bolster his case.

The article also highlights how Smith’s perspective differs from that of other middle infielders. While Lindor and Arenado are often celebrated for their flashy plays and veteran experience, Smith emphasizes a quieter, more consistent approach. “I’m not the most talked‑about player in the lineup, but I try to be in the right spot at the right time every game,” Smith says. “I think that steadiness is what managers look for in a Gold Glove.”

In a segment that follows a link to a Sports Illustrated interview with MLB’s defensive coordinator, Smith discusses the role of technology in evaluating defense. He refers to “smart glove” sensors that track ball speed and throw trajectory, as well as video‑based systems that assess footwork. “Those tools give us a more granular view of how a player performs,” Smith explains. “They also help us communicate with the coaching staff about where we need to improve.”

The article ends with a discussion of the timing of the Gold Glove voting process. Smith notes that he tries to maintain a high level of play throughout the season, knowing that the award is based on a cumulative 162‑game effort. “If you have a big slump in August, you’re already out of the running,” he cautions. He also highlights that the award is not just a personal goal but also a symbol of team success; a Gold Glove can raise the profile of a franchise and inspire younger players.

In summary, the piece portrays Cam Smith as a diligent, data‑savvy defender who is taking the Gold Glove seriously, both as a personal milestone and as a reflection of the Astros’ commitment to defense. By blending advanced metrics, coaching insights, and a steady on‑field performance, Smith is positioning himself as a legitimate candidate for the award, even as the field features some of the most celebrated defensive talents in the game.