Noah Miller of Cedar Rapids Kernels wins Rawlings Gold Glove for top minor league defensive shortstop

CEDAR RAPIDS — Noah Miller of the Cedar Rapids Kernels knows his strength. And it’s defense.

“Always been the bread and butter,” Miller said. “Being from Wisconsin, it’s always snowing (in the winter), you can’t get outside. We were one of the first travel ball organizations to build an indoor facility with a full turf infield. So I’d say going there every weekend for five years probably was what made my defense so good. Just getting countless reps, getting constantly better.”

It doesn’t get much better than a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, and that’s what Miller has won for his defensive excellence. Minor League Baseball announced the nine winners (three outfielders and one player at each of the other positions) Tuesday.

This is an especially impressive honor considering it encompasses the entire minor leagues at every level.

“Great for him and well deserved,” said 2023 Kernels Manager Brian Dinkelman. “The work he puts in and knowing that he needs to be ready defensively every day is what helps separate him from others.

“His ability to make all plays look easy with the accuracy of his throws makes him an elite defender. It’s fun to watch him play that position at such a high level.”

Miller, 20, was a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick of the parent Minnesota Twins in 2021 out of Ozaukee High School in Fredonia, Wis. His older brother, Owen, plays for the Milwaukee Brewers.

A switch-hitter, he hit .223 with eight home runs and 60 RBIs in 120 regular-season games for the Kernels, who ended up winning the Midwest League championship. But his defensive prowess was beyond the pale, as he showed off solid instincts, an ability to range to the hole, up the middle and in for slow choppers and rollers, as well as an incredibly accurate and strong throwing arm.

Rare were the times when one of Miller’s throws to first base (or elsewhere, for that matter) were not exactly on target. He posted a .984 field percentage in 446 total chances, helped turn 54 double plays and had 295 assists.

Other Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners were first baseman T.J. Rumfield (New York Yankees organization), third baseman Trey Lipscomb (Washington Nationals), catcher Jeferson Quero (Milwaukee Brewers), pitcher Ty Cleveland (Seattle Mariners) and outfielders Kenedy Corona (Houston Astros) and Nelson Rada (Los Angeles Angels).

Two other guys who spent part of the 2023 season in the Midwest League also won: outfielder Victor Scott II (Peoria Chiefs/St. Louis Cardinals) and second baseman Jace Jung (West Michigan Whitecaps/Detroit Tigers).

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