I started a project with a plan for three light-weight articles while we fill the dead space before the Winter Meetings kick in the hot portion of the Hot Stove League. These would be one each for the biggest surprise in the category of defense, offense and pitching. I did pitchers and hitters and now I finish with defenders.

Who was the most surprising (in a good way) defender this year? This really comes down to one of three players: Victor Scott II, Masyn Winn and Willson Contreras. No one else had anything approaching a standout defensive season.

First, we have Masyn Winn, who climbed from +3 OAA in 2024 to +21 in 2025. Impressive.

Second only to Bobby Witt, Jr. On a rate basis, Masyn kept pace, but Witt got 200 more innings in and collected a couple more OAA as a result. Certainly,

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