Reds fans upset Aristides Aquino snubbed as Gold Glove finalist in favor of Juan Soto

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Aristides Aquino was not among the finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, but inexplicably San Diego Padres right fielder Juan Soto was.

There's a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why Aquino didn't the make the cut, but there's absolutely no reason that Soto should be among the finalist for an award that rewards a player for "overall fielding excellence".

Soto, along with Arizona Diamondbacks' outfielder Daulton Varsho and Los Angeles Dodgers' All-Star Mookie Betts were among the finalist for the National League Gold Glove Award in right field.

Reds fans upset Aristides Aquino snubbed as Gold Glove finalist in favor of Juan Soto.

When it comes to Aristides Aquino's candidacy, there's a very good reason as to why The Punisher was not among the finalist for the prestigious award. According to the criteria, Aquino did not qualify.

In order for an infielder or outfielder to qualify for a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, he must have played in the field for at least 698 total innings through his team’s 138th game. Aquino only played in 608.1 total innings as an outfielder in 2022.

Despite the 28-year-old posting tremendous defensive numbers, Aquino simply did not appear in enough games to be considered for the award. Aquino (20) led the Cincinnati Reds in defensive runs saved according to Fielding Bible.

In fact, The Punisher led all outfielders in that category. In case you were curious, Juan Soto had -2 DRS. Reds' utility infielder Matt Reynolds, who played 65 innings in the outfield, actually had more DRS (1) than Soto.

Aquino also had 12 outfield assists during the 2022 season. Soto had just one. The fact that Aquino did not make the cut is not the issue. He doesn't qualify. It's as simple as that. But Soto's inclusion is utterly ridiculous.