Making the Gold Glove cases for Rays Finalists Chandler Simpson and Taylor Walls

Tampa Bay Rays players Taylor Walls and Chandler Simpson have been named finalists for the 2026 American League Gold Glove Awards. Walls is nominated at shortstop alongside Andres Gimenez and Bobby Witt Jr., while Simpson earned a nomination in left field against Wyatt Langford and Cody Bellinger. Both Rays players are pursuing the first Gold Glove Award of their Major League Baseball careers.

Harrison Smajovits assesses that while Walls faces tough competition and lower metric ratings in Outs Above Average, he led all MLB shortstops with +21 Defensive Runs Saved. Smajovits also highlights Simpson's exceptional range with an 8 OAA, though Bellinger holds advantages in fielding run value and DRS.