Ryan Mountcastle spent the first seven years of his professional career without a viable defensive home. Colton Cowser’s first taste of the big leagues in 2023 was a disaster.

Tuesday, they were both recognized as one of the best defensive players at their respective positions.

The two Orioles were American League Gold Glove Award finalists at first base and left field, respectively, Rawlings announced Tuesday afternoon. It marks Mountcastle’s second such honor, while Cowser is a first-time finalist in his rookie campaign.

Three finalists at each position were chosen in each league by the 30 MLB managers and six coaches from each team — votes that make up 75% of the process — and the Society for American Baseball Research Defensive Index, which accounts for the remaining 25%.

Gold Glove Award winners will be revealed Nov. 3 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight.”

Mountcastle was the Orioles’ best defensive player in 2024 by defensive runs saved. His eight DRS in only about 980 innings at first base were more than shortstop Gunnar Henderson (five), catcher Adley Rutschman (four) and Cowser (four). Cowser, meanwhile, was the Orioles’ best defensive player in 2024 according to Statcast’s outs above average. His 11 OAA in the outfield were more than center fielder Cedric Mullins (three), Mountcastle (two) and Henderson (zero).

Mountcastle, 27, was drafted as a shortstop out of high school. He then moved to third base early in his minor league career, and when he reached the big leagues, he was moved to corner outfield. He wasn’t capable of playing any of those spots, but when the Orioles moved him to first base full-time in 2022, he flashed glimpses of perhaps sticking there long-term.

After a choppy first season there, he developed into a solid defender and Gold Glove finalist in 2023 and then took another step with the glove this season. His value at first base, particularly ranging laterally for ground balls, was especially evident when he spent most of September on the injured list with a sprained wrist.

While Mountcastle is a worthy finalist, it’s unlikely he will win the award. Most defensive metrics rate Minnesota Twins first baseman Carlos Santana as the best defender at the position. In his 15th season, Santana put up a stellar defensive season, tied with Mountcastle with eight DRS and easily first among AL first basemen in OAA with 14 — twice as many as Texas Ranger and Gold Glove finalist Nathaniel Lowe (seven) and far more than Mountcastle (two). Lowe won the award last year.

Cowser, 24, was a highly touted prospect because of his balanced game, projectable power and on-base ability. His defense, though, was an unanswered question, as his fielding grade was rated by external scouts as his least potent tool. His first stint in the major leagues raised questions, too, as he struggled in center field.

He quickly answered them this year, establishing himself as the Orioles’ starting left fielder, then as an AL Rookie of the Year candidate, then as one of baseball’s best defensive outfielders. Aside from the occasional errant throw, Cowser played nearly flawless defense in both left and center field. He replaced Austin Hays, a Gold Glove finalist in 2023, with the task of surviving in Camden Yards’ abnormally large left field, and he did so with aplomb — so much so that he could win the Gold Glove Award.

Cowser’s OAA during his approximately 800 innings in left field ranked second in the majors behind Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho, who is a finalist in center field because he played more innings there. Cowser’s eight OAA as a left fielder were far more than Cleveland Guardians All-Star Steven Kwan (four) and New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (zero). Kwan, who won the award in 2023, and Verdugo both rate better than Cowser in DRS.

If Cowser wins, he could become the first player since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001 to earn both the Gold Glove and Rookie of the Year Awards in the same season. The race for the AL Rookie of the Year is expected to be close between Cowser and New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil, who is a slight betting favorite to take the honor.

Rutschman, who was a finalist last year, wasn’t this season as his defensive metrics behind the plate declined. Neither were Cedric Mullins, a center field finalist in 2022; Ramón Urías, the Gold Glove Award winner at third base in 2022; or Anthony Santander, a right field finalist in 2020.

The Orioles are expected to have many more award finalists this fall. In addition to Cowser and Mountcastle, Henderson is expected to be a Silver Slugger finalist and could be a finalist for the AL Most Valuable Player Award. Ace Corbin Burnes could be a Cy Young Award finalist, while pitcher Albert Suárez has a credible case to be MLB’s Comeback Player of the Year after his seven-year hiatus from the show.

Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 667-942-3337 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer.