Major League Baseball has announced the finalists for the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, recognizing the league’s top defensive players following the regular season. The nominees include established award winners, standout defenders and emerging talents competing for recognition in both the American League and National League.
The finalists were announced on Wednesday, October 14. Three players have been nominated at each position in each league, including the utility category. The winners are scheduled to be announced on ESPN on Sunday, November 1, at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs lead all teams with five finalists apiece. The Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals each have four nominees, highlighting the defensive depth across several clubs.
2026 American League Gold Glove Award Finalists
Pitcher: Tanner Bibee (Cleveland Guardians), Jacob deGrom (Texas Rangers), José Soriano (Los Angeles Angels/Toronto Blue Jays).
Catcher: Dillon Dingler (Detroit Tigers), Brandon Valenzuela (Toronto Blue Jays), Austin Wells (New York Yankees).
First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays), Vinnie Pasquantino (Kansas City Royals), Christian Walker (Houston Astros).
Second Base: Michael Massey (Kansas City Royals), Chase Meidroth (Chicago White Sox), Cole Young (Seattle Mariners).
Third Base: Caleb Durbin (Boston Red Sox), Brooks Lee (Minnesota Twins), Nick Loftin (Kansas City Royals).
Shortstop: Andrés Giménez (Toronto Blue Jays), Taylor Walls (Tampa Bay Rays), Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals).
Left Field: Cody Bellinger (New York Yankees), Wyatt Langford (Texas Rangers), Chandler Simpson (Tampa Bay Rays).
Center Field: Evan Carter (Texas Rangers), Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians), Ceddanne Rafaela (Boston Red Sox).
Right Field: Wilyer Abreu (Boston Red Sox), Nathan Lukes (Toronto Blue Jays), Cam Smith (Houston Astros).
Utility: José Caballero (New York Yankees), Ezequiel Duran (Texas Rangers), Zach McKinstry (Detroit Tigers).
2026 National League Gold Glove Award Finalists
Pitcher: Michael McGreevy (St. Louis Cardinals), Nolan McLean (New York Mets), Chris Sale (Atlanta Braves).
Catcher: Freddy Fermin (San Diego Padres), Gabriel Moreno (Arizona Diamondbacks), Luis Torrens (New York Mets).
First Base: Ty France (San Diego Padres), Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves), TJ Rumfield (Colorado Rockies).
Second Base: Brandon Lowe (Pittsburgh Pirates), Brice Turang (Milwaukee Brewers), JJ Wetherholt (St. Louis Cardinals).
Third Base: Alex Bregman (Chicago Cubs), Max Muncy (Los Angeles Dodgers), Javier Sanoja (Miami Marlins).
Shortstop: Geraldo Perdomo (Arizona Diamondbacks), Dansby Swanson (Chicago Cubs), Masyn Winn (St. Louis Cardinals).
Left Field: Jackson Chourio (Milwaukee Brewers), Ian Happ (Chicago Cubs), Daylen Lile (Washington Nationals).
Center Field: Pete Crow-Armstrong (Chicago Cubs), Michael Harris II (Atlanta Braves), Andy Pages (Los Angeles Dodgers).
Right Field: Carson Benge (New York Mets), Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks), Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs).
Utility: Mauricio Dubón (Atlanta Braves), Jared Triolo (Pittsburgh Pirates), Ildemaro Vargas (Arizona Diamondbacks).
Players to Watch in the 2026 Gold Glove Awards
Several finalists enter the awards race with strong defensive credentials and previous recognition. Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is among the most prominent names in the National League field. His range and ability to cover ground have made him one of the standout defensive players in baseball. His 2026 season included a league-leading fielding run value of plus-26, according to Statcast.
In the American League, Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu is another notable contender. He recorded 28 Defensive Runs Saved, the highest total among major league players in 2026. His throwing arm and ability to prevent extra-base hits have continued to distinguish him in the outfield.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. also returns to the finalist list after winning the American League Gold Glove at his position in each of the previous two seasons. His combination of range, arm strength and consistency puts him in contention for another award.
At catcher, Detroit Tigers backstop Dillon Dingler is looking to defend the American League honor he won in 2025. His defensive performance made him one of the most prominent candidates at the position again this season.
National League shortstop Masyn Winn is seeking a second consecutive Gold Glove after winning the award in 2025. Despite being limited to 136 games by a left thumb fracture, he maintained strong defensive numbers throughout the season.
The finalists also include players who could earn their first major league Gold Glove. Cole Young of the Seattle Mariners, Brandon Valenzuela of the Toronto Blue Jays and Daylen Lile of the Washington Nationals are among those looking to turn their nominations into their first wins.
How Are Gold Glove Award Winners Selected?
The Rawlings Gold Glove Awards recognize defensive excellence at the major league level. For the nine standard positions, the selection process combines votes from MLB managers and coaches with the SABR Defensive Index. Manager and coach voting accounts for 75% of the result, while the defensive index contributes the remaining 25%.
Managers and coaches evaluate players in their respective leagues but cannot vote for players on their own teams. The process considers defensive performance at each position, with statistical analysis providing an additional measure of fielding ability.
The utility award follows a separate defensive formula developed through collaboration between Rawlings and the Society for American Baseball Research. The category recognizes players whose value comes from contributing defensively at multiple positions.
With three finalists in every category across the American League and National League, the 2026 awards feature a mix of established winners and new contenders. The results will be announced on November 1, when the finalists learn which players will receive baseball’s premier individual defensive honor.