Top MLB defenders 2025 : The finalists for the prestigious 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards have been officially announced, spotlighting the elite defensive talents across Major League Baseball. With winners set to be revealed on Sunday, November 2, during the ESPN broadcast, the anticipation is high as fans and analysts get ready to see which players will be honored for their exceptional defensive performances in the 2025 season.
Top MLB defenders 2025 Overview of the Gold Glove Award Selection Process
The Gold Glove Award, established to recognize outstanding fielding and defensive contributions, relies on a meticulous voting process. Managers and coaches from each MLB team vote for players within their league, excluding their own team members. These votes account for 75% of the final decision, with the remaining 25% based on the SABR Defensive Index (SDI), a sophisticated statistical formula evaluating defensive performance.
For the utility position, a specialized defensive formula developed in collaboration with SABR is used, reflecting the unique demands of players versatile enough to contribute across multiple positions on the field.
Standout Finalists in the American League
In the American League, top defensive stars across all positions have emerged as finalists:
- Pitcher: Jacob deGrom (Rangers), Max Fried (Yankees), Luis Severino (Athletics). Max Fried, fresh from an NL Gold Glove streak with the Braves, showcased his defensive prowess with 39 assists and 10 defensive runs saved.
- Catcher: Dillon Dingler (Tigers), Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays), Carlos Narváez (Red Sox). Kirk led in blocks above average, while Dingler and Narváez excelled in various framing and caught stealing metrics.
- Infielders: Stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays) at first base and Andrés Giménez (Blue Jays) at second base are among the finalists, with impressive fielding runs saved and outs above average.
- Outfielders: Steven Kwan (Guardians), Wyatt Langford (Rangers), Tyler Soderstrom (Athletics) headline the left field category, with Kwan leading all left fielders in Defensive Runs Saved (+22). Center and right field finalists include Kyle Isbel, Ceddanne Rafaela, Julio Rodríguez, Wilyer Abreu, and Adolis García, all recognized for their exceptional range and arm strength.
- The utility finalists, such as Ernie Clement (Blue Jays) and Mauricio Dubón (Astros)
- impress with their defensive versatility across several infield and outfield positions.
National League Finalists to Watch
The National League’s top defensive players also feature some of MLB’s best:
- Pitchers: Matthew Boyd (Cubs), David Peterson (Mets), Logan Webb (Giants) earned nods for combining pitching excellence with defensive reliability.
- Catchers: Patrick Bailey (Giants), Carson Kelly (Cubs), and Luis Torrens (Mets) stood out with elite pitch-framing skills and stolen-base prevention.
- Infielders: Bryce Harper (Phillies) at first base, Nico Hoerner (Cubs) and Brice Turang (Brewers) at second base, and celebrated stars like Ke’Bryan Hayes and Ryan McMahon at third base.
- Named shortstops: Nick Allen (Braves), Mookie Betts (Dodgers), and Masyn Winn (Cardinals) highlight the deep pool of defensive talent.
- Outfielders: Ian Happ (Cubs) and Tommy Pham (Pirates) lead left field, while center field
- sees fierce competition with Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs), Victor Scott II (Cardinals)
- and Jacob Young (Nationals). Right field finalists include Corbin Carroll, Sal Frelick,
- and Fernando Tatis Jr., renowned for their arm strength and defensive runs saved.
Key Defensive Highlights of the Season
- The 2025 MLB season saw incredible defensive plays and consistency from these finalists.
- Defensive metrics such as Outs Above Average (OAA), Defensive Runs Saved (DRS)
- and arm strength underscore their impact on their teams’ success.
Ernie Clement’s remarkable Defensive Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 2.9, combining his defensive contributions at multiple infield spots, makes him a unique candidate for history-making achievements by winning Gold Gloves at two positions in a single season.
What This Means for MLB Fans
- With the Gold Glove as a symbol of defensive excellence, this award highlights players who
- often go beyond the spotlight of offensive statistics to make crucial contributions that change
- the course of games. The 2025 finalists represent a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging
- stars, reflecting the continuously evolving defensive standards in Major League Baseball.
- The awards ceremony promises excitement as fans see whether seasoned champions
- like Max Fried and Steven Kwan can continue their defensive legacies or if new talent will rise to claim the honor.
