Former Adams baseball standout Spencer Nelson wins Gold Glove Award

Spencer Nelson says his baseball coaches have always told him that defense wins games.

The former South Bend Adams graduate definitely listened to those words of wisdom.

Nelson showed his love for the glove in a big way this past season as a standout centerfielder for the Grand Valley State University baseball team. He recently earned the prestigious American Baseball Coaches Association (ABC)/Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his outstanding work.

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Nelson earned the honor, given nationally to the player with the highest fielding percentage at each position, after playing errorless ball for the Lakers, an NCAA Division II program. He had a 1.000 fielding percentage in 135 attempts with 132 putouts and three assists.

The accolade came as a surprise to the junior, who started all 50 games for his squad.

"It caught me off guard," said Nelson in a phone interview earlier this week about the honor, which began in 2007. "I was surprised when I was told about it.

"To me this is a team award. It's about our entire team and my coaches too, not just an individual award for me.

"I just try to go out there every day and have fun. I go out and try to play to the best of my ability every day. This game is fun."

Nelson's high school baseball and JC career

Nelson was a three-time team MVP while playing in high school for Michael Cass at Adams. He was the captain of the Eagles his junior and senior seasons and earned All-Northern Indiana Conference honors his senior year.

"Coaches have always told me that defense wins games and it's always been my number one priority," said Nelson, who earned second team all-conference honors this year.

Nelson helped his team go 30-20 this Spring, including 13-11 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He hit .325 with 17 doubles, six triples and eight home runs. He also had 35 RBI and 49 runs scored with a .583 slugging percentage and a .969 OPS.

Nelson spent his first two college seasons at Kellogg Community College. He played in eight games in the COVID shortened season in 2020 and then had to miss the entire 2021 season after tearing his left hip labrum.

"It was a very difficult time being out last year," said Nelson. "I just had to stay strong mentally. I'm feeling great now. I could run through a brick wall. My motto is play until I fall."

Nelson, who is just the third player at Grand Valley to win the Gold Glove Award, says the year off did benefit him.

"I've switched to being more of a mental player now," said Nelson. "As far as analyzing things and knowing my opponent.  I'm always shifting our guys around out in our outfield pre pitch. As I've gotten older, I know the game better now.

"My coaches always told me I was a natural at playing centerfield. You kind of do your own thing out there in the outfield. You need speed, which I used to have more of. But you also need good reaction time. That's the best way to stay ahead of the game out there."

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"I feel like you're playing the game, not people. I feel like I have great mentals for the game and a good work ethic."

Nelson, who refers to himself as a low-key guy, says his teammates have jokingly let him know every day since he received the honor.

"Oh, they let me have it every day," said Nelson with a laugh.

"I actually knew about this for quite a long time before I told anyone other than my family. My mom (Sheila) was brought to tears when I told her about the award. She knows the sacrifices that I have made and that my passion has paid off."

Nelson was planning to return to South Bend this weekend to prepare for his final year back at GVSU. He had been playing for the Muskegeon Clippers of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League (GLCBL) this summer. He even was selected as an All-Star, but will not be able to play in the game due to other obligations back at home.

"My No. 1 goal is still to get drafted," said Nelson, whose favorite player is former Seattle star Ichiro Suzuki.

"If that does not happen, I have a plan B and that is to pursue my master's degree."

Sound like the man with the gold glove has his bases covered.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Spencer Nelson, South Bend Adams grad, earns 2022 Gold Glove Award