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The 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Finalists Announced

The Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. has officially revealed the finalists for the highly coveted 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award. This award serves to honor the players showcasing exceptional defensive skills at their respective positions in Major League Baseball (MLB). The results are significant as they reflect the excellence of individual fielding performances throughout the past season.

The award, which first originated in 1957, recognized outstanding defensive players. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that Rawlings began highlighting the top three defenders for each position as finalists. Notably, the Toronto Blue Jays led the American League (AL) with five finalists, alongside the Chicago Cubs, who topped the National League (NL), making this year's announcement particularly exciting.

Mike Thompson, the Chief Marketing Officer for Rawlings, emphasized the critical role defense plays in baseball, stating, "Offense wins moments, but defense wins baseball games." He further noted how a stellar defensive play can shift the momentum of a game or define an entire season. This insight underscores the fierce competition and the remarkable talent exhibited by the finalists, who have consistently made significant impacts for their teams.

For the 2026 season, a total of 18 awards will be presented for various defensive positions. The selection process involves voting from each team's manager and up to six coaches. They evaluate qualified players within their leagues while ensuring they do not vote for athletes from their own teams. This model has been enhanced since 2013 by incorporating the SABR Defensive Index™ (SDI), which accounts for about 25% of the total votes.

Additionally, the utility award winners are determined using a specialized defensive formula created in conjunction with the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), reflecting Rawlings' efforts to maintain high standards and rigorous criteria for this prestigious recognition.

2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Finalists

American League Finalists

• - Pitcher: José Soriano (Toronto Blue Jays), Jacob deGrom (Texas Rangers), Tanner Bibee (Cleveland Guardians)
• - Catcher: Brandon Valenzuela (Toronto Blue Jays), Austin Wells (New York Yankees), Dillon Dingler (Detroit Tigers)
• - 1st Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays), Christian Walker (Houston Astros), Vinnie Pasquantino (Kansas City Royals)
• - 2nd Base: Michael Massey (Kansas City Royals), Chase Meidroth (Chicago White Sox), Cole Young (Seattle Mariners)
• - 3rd Base: Nick Loftin (Kansas City Royals), Brooks Lee (Minnesota Twins), Caleb Durbin (Boston Red Sox)
• - Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals), Andrés Giménez (Toronto Blue Jays), Taylor Walls (Tampa Bay Rays)
• - Left Field: Cody Bellinger (New York Yankees), Wyatt Langford (Texas Rangers), Chandler Simpson (Tampa Bay Rays)
• - Center Field: Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians), Ceddanne Rafaela (Boston Red Sox), Evan Carter (Texas Rangers)
• - Right Field: Nathan Lukes (Toronto Blue Jays), Cam Smith (Houston Astros), Wilyer Abreu (Boston Red Sox)
• - Utility: Zach McKinstry (Detroit Tigers), Ezequiel Duran (Texas Rangers), José Caballero (New York Yankees)

National League Finalists

• - Pitcher: Nolan McLean (New York Mets), Michael McGreevy (St. Louis Cardinals), Chris Sale (Atlanta Braves)
• - Catcher: Freddy Fermin (San Diego Padres), Luis Torrens (New York Mets), Gabriel Moreno (Arizona Diamondbacks)
• - 1st Base: Ty France (San Diego Padres), Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves), TJ Rumfield (Colorado Rockies)
• - 2nd Base: JJ Wetherholt (St. Louis Cardinals), Brice Turang (Milwaukee Brewers), Brandon Lowe (Pittsburgh Pirates)
• - 3rd Base: Max Muncy (Los Angeles Dodgers), Alex Bregman (Chicago Cubs), Javier Sanoja (Miami Marlins)
• - Shortstop: Masyn Winn (St. Louis Cardinals), Dansby Swanson (Chicago Cubs), Geraldo Perdomo (Arizona Diamondbacks)
• - Left Field: Ian Happ (Chicago Cubs), Daylen Lile (Washington Nationals), Jackson Chourio (Milwaukee Brewers)
• - Center Field: Andy Pages (Los Angeles Dodgers), Pete Crow-Armstrong (Chicago Cubs), Michael Harris II (Atlanta Braves)
• - Right Field: Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks), Carson Benge (New York Mets), Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs)
• - Utility: Ildemaro Vargas (Arizona Diamondbacks), Mauricio Dubón (Atlanta Braves), Jared Triolo (Pittsburgh Pirates)

This year’s list includes an impressive 22 former Gold Glove winners—9 from the AL and 13 from the NL. After unveiling the winners during the special announcement on ESPN on November 1, fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite defensive player from each league, which will play a role in determining the recipients of the prestigious Rawlings Platinum Glove Award. Voting will begin online at www.Rawlings.com at 9:30 PM ET and will remain open until November 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. The Platinum Glove Award winners will be announced during the Rawlings Gold Glove Award Ceremony in New York City on November 6.

About Rawlings

Founded in 1887, Rawlings has established itself as a leading manufacturer of top-quality baseball and softball equipment. As the official glove and ball provider for Major League Baseball, Rawlings’ commitment to excellence and innovation ensures that they remain the preferred choice for athletes and sports leagues around the world. For further details, visit Rawlings.