2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winners Honored for Excellence in Fielding
The Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. has officially revealed the winners of the 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, highlighting the finest fielding talents in Major League Baseball. This year's award ceremony took place during a special one-hour edition of Baseball Tonight, broadcasted on ESPN. The announcement was made on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 8:30 PM ET, creating buzz among baseball fans as they awaited the unveiling of these prestigious honors.
In total, the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards recognize defensive excellence across various positions within both the American League and National League. A total of 20 awards were presented, a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent. The accolades featured 12 returning winners and 8 first-time award recipients, celebrating the growth and dynamism in the league. Among this year's standouts, pitchers Max Fried, Ian Happ, and Steven Kwan each received their fourth Gold Glove, the highest of the honorees.
Several teams celebrated multiple winners, clearly demonstrating their defensive prowess. The Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox shone in the American League, while the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs excelled in the National League.
The process for determining winners involves input from managers and coaches from each team, who partake in voting from a pool of qualified players within their respective leagues. Notably, they are prohibited from casting votes for players on their own teams, ensuring an unbiased selection process. This year, the SABR Defensive Index™ also played a crucial role, contributing approximately 25% of the total selection metrics, ensuring a data-driven approach to recognizing talent.
Mike Thompson, chief marketing officer for Rawlings, expressed pride in the tradition of the Gold Glove Award, stating, "Nearly 68 years after its creation, we're proud that the Rawlings Gold Glove Award continues to be recognized as the gold standard by which defense is measured." He went on to emphasize the remarkable attributes of the award winners, noting their elite defensive statistics coupled with unmatched determination and heart.
In addition to positional awards, fans have a chance to engage with the process by voting for the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, an accolade presented to the top overall defensive player. This voting is open until November 5, 2025, showcasing the interactive aspect of the awards.
The complete list of prominent winners across both leagues reflects a broad array of positions and clubs. In the American League, pitching standout Max Fried from the New York Yankees, Dillon Dingler as catcher from the Detroit Tigers, and various other players from teams like the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians stood out. Notably, Fried's record of four Gold Gloves sets a benchmark for aspiring athletes.
Switching focus to the National League, the list features defenders like Logan Webb from the San Francisco Giants, Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves, and Ian Happ again emerging as a multi-winner from the Chicago Cubs. Each player's commitment to their craft is mirrored in their placements, reflecting a league rich in talent.
To conclude, the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards summon the celebration of baseball excellence, where defensive prowess and statistics meet tradition and honors. The next step will be the announcement of the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners, representing the consummate achievement in defensive play, set to take place on November 7, 2025, in New York City. For more information on the awards and player eligibility, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Rawlings website for comprehensive details and updates.