Simpson earns first Gold Glove nomination; Walls a repeat nominee at SS

Major League Baseball announced the finalists for the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards on Wednesday, featuring three nominees at each position across both the American League and National League. The winners will be revealed on ESPN on Sunday, Nov. 1. The Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs led all franchises with five nominations each, while the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals followed closely with four finalists apiece.

Voting for the standard positions is determined by MLB managers and coaches alongside the SABR Defensive Index, with Rawlings and SABR using a specialized formula for the utility spots. Notable contenders include previous award winners such as Bobby Witt Jr., Christian Walker, Wilyer Abreu, and Matt Olson, alongside several standout rookies like Brandon Valenzuela, Nolan McLean, and JJ Wetherholt.