Patrick Bailey Earns Fielding Bible’s 2025 Defensive Player of the Year

In a significant achievement, Patrick Bailey of the San Francisco Giants has been named the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year by the Fielding Bible. This award marks Bailey’s second consecutive Fielding Bible Award as a catcher, solidifying his status as one of the top defensive players in Major League Baseball.

At just 26 years old, Bailey joins an elite group of players, including Ke’Bryan Hayes and Daulton Varsho, who have received the Fielding Bible’s prestigious honor since its inception in 2023. Notably, he is the first catcher to receive this accolade, highlighting his unique contributions to the game.

Outstanding Defensive Metrics

Bailey’s defensive performance throughout the 2025 season has been statistically remarkable. Over the course of 132 games, he achieved a Fielding Run Value of +31, the highest for any defensive player in a single season since 2018. His performance included an impressive +25 Catcher Framing Runs, also the best recorded for a catcher in the same timeframe.

In addition to his framing skills, Bailey excelled in preventing stolen bases, throwing out a career-high 27 caught stealings. His average pop time of 1.86 seconds tied him with J.T. Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies and Endy Rodriguez of the Pittsburgh Pirates for the fastest in the league.

“Patrick Bailey has many ways of controlling a game as a catcher,” said Mark Simon, editorial operations lead at Sports Info Solutions. “He is a leader on the field with the way he supports his pitching staff defensively through pitch framing, stolen base prevention, and pitch blocking. He is a deserving honoree as Defensive Player of the Year.”

Potential for Back-to-Back Gold Glove Awards

Bailey is also a finalist for the Gold Glove Award, making him a strong candidate to win this honor for the second consecutive year. If successful, he would become the first Giants player to win back-to-back Gold Glove Awards since Brandon Crawford claimed three straight titles from 2015 to 2017.

As the season progresses, Bailey’s defensive prowess continues to earn him accolades and recognition, showcasing his critical role in the Giants’ success on the field. His combination of leadership, skill, and resilience places him among the best catchers in baseball today.