A quartet of American League clubs and one National League club led the way as the 54 finalists for the 2017 Gold Glove Awards were announced on Thursday.The Angels, Indians, Red Sox and Royals each have four finalists for the honor, which has been awarded since 1957 to a standout

A quartet of American League clubs and one National League club led the way as the 54 finalists for the 2017 Gold Glove Awards were announced on Thursday.

The Angels, Indians, Red Sox and Royals each have four finalists for the honor, which has been awarded since 1957 to a standout defensive player at each position in each league. In the NL, the Reds also boast four finalists. After the Gold Glove Award winners are announced on Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, one player from each league will be named a Platinum Glove Award winner.

• Past Gold Glove Award winners:American League | National League

Several finalists are in the running for their first Gold Glove Award, and two positions from the AL will yield a first-time winner. The finalists among pitchers are the Red Sox's Chris Sale, the Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman and the Rays' Alex Cobb, none of whom has previously won the honor. And in center field, the Royals' Lorenzo Cain , the Blue Jays' Kevin Pillar or the Twins' Byron Buxton will be a first-time winner.

Arguably the two greatest sluggers in the game today, the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton (59 home runs in 2017) and Yankees rookie Aaron Judge (52) flexed their muscle on defense as well on the way to nominations for their respective leagues' Gold Glove Award in right field.

Many finalists already boast an impressive history with the Gold Glove Award, which is presented by Rawlings, and will be looking to add another. In the AL, Royals catcher Salvador Perez and left fielder Alex Gordon , as well as Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia , each look to win the award for a fifth time.

In the NL, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina seeks his ninth career Gold Glove Award; he's earned all eight since 2008. Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is in position to extend his MLB record for third basemen with a fifth straight Gold Glove Award to begin his career. Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward could win his fifth Gold Glove Award, which would also be his fourth straight.

• Cast your vote for Best Defensive Player, more in 2017 Esurance MLB Awards

This year's Gold Glove Awards represent just one way the game's top performers will be recognized. Voting is underway now for the Esurance MLB Awards, which annually honor MLB's greatest achievements as part of an industry-wide balloting process. MLB Awards season will culminate on Friday, Nov. 17, when winners are announced live on MLB Network and MLB.com starting at 8 p.m. ET.

What follows is a complete list of this year's Rawlings Gold Glove Award finalists.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Pitchers:

LHP Chris Sale, Red Sox

RHP Marcus Stroman , Blue Jays

RHP Alex Cobb, Rays

Catchers:

Yan Gomes , Indians

Martin Maldonado , Angels

Salvador Perez , Royals

First basemen:

Carlos Santana , Indians

Eric Hosmer , Royals

Mitch Moreland, Red Sox

Second basemen:

James Dozier , Twins

Ian Kinsler , Tigers

Dustin Pedroia , Red Sox

Third basemen:

Manny Machado, Orioles

Jose Ramirez , Indians

Evan Longoria , Rays

Shortstops:

Elvis Andrus , Rangers

Andrelton Simmons , Angels

Francisco Lindor , Indians

Left fielders:

Brett Gardner , Yankees

Alex Gordon , Royals

Justin Upton , Angels

Center fielders:

Lorenzo Cain , Royals

Kevin Pillar , Blue Jays

Byron Buxton , Twins

Right fielders:

Kole Calhoun , Angels

Mookie Betts , Red Sox

Aaron Judge , Yankees

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pitchers:

RHP R.A. Dickey, Braves

RHP Zack Greinke, D-backs

RHP Zach Davies , Brewers

Catchers:

Buster Posey , Giants

Yadier Molina , Cardinals

Tucker Barnhart , Reds

First basemen:

Joey Votto, Reds

Paul Goldschmidt , D-backs

Anthony Rizzo , Cubs

Second basemen:

DJ LeMahieu, Rockies

Dee Gordon, Marlins

Benjamin Zobrist , Cubs

Third basemen:

Nolan Arenado , Rockies

Anthony Rendon , Nationals

David Freese , Pirates

Shortstops:

Freddy Galvis , Phillies

Brandon Crawford , Giants

Corey Seager , Dodgers

Left fielders:

Gerardo Parra , Rockies

Adam Duvall , Reds

Marcell Ozuna , Marlins

Center fielders:

Billy Hamilton , Reds

Michael A. Taylor, Nationals

Ender Inciarte , Braves

Right fielders:

Yasiel Puig , Dodgers

Giancarlo Stanton , Marlins

Jason Heyward , Cubs