St. Louis Cardinals infielder Kolten Wong, whose trophy case remains bare, believes he's earned his first Gold Glove for his stellar play at second base this season.

"I think MLB should realize, if I don't win the Gold Glove, there is something wrong with it," Wong said, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It needs to be somebody who deserves it instead of a publicity contest. And sometimes you know that's how it goes. I was disappointed last year. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath if I'm a Gold Glove winner or not. In my heart, I know I am."

Wong, who played 108 games last year, ranked eighth among NL second basemen by SABR's Defensive Index, which helps inform voters. DJ LeMahieu, who won the 2017 Gold Glove, finished first.

The 27-year-old has only managed to play 150 games once over his five previous seasons (including his 2013 rookie campaign when he didn't earn a promotion until August).

However, this year, Wong has played in 108 of St. Louis' 128 games and ranks first among NL second basemen by defensive runs saved and ultimate zone rating, according to FanGraphs.

Wong's defense passes the eye test as well, as the second baseman made a potentially game-saving stab and throw to record the first out of the ninth inning in Tuesday's win against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)