Ezequiel Duran earns Gold Glove for defensive versatility

Ezequiel Duran won the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award on Sunday. The 27-year-old Rangers infielder and outfielder earned the honor for defensive excellence. He is the first Ranger to take the utility Gold Glove since Rawlings created the position in 2022.

Durán started and finished every position except pitcher and catcher during the 2026 season. He became the only Major League Baseball player to do so this past year. Fans call him The Solution because he handles multiple assignments at a high level.

He played in a career-high 153 games across seven defensive roles. Duran started 57 games at third base and 53 at shortstop. He also appeared in 37 games at second base. The outfield assignments included 21 games in left field, 18 in center, and 14 in right. He finished three games at first base.

His defensive metrics placed him among the league leaders. Duran recorded 17 outs above average, tying for the sixth-highest figure in Major League Baseball. At shortstop, he posted 11 outs above average. That ranked fourth in the American League despite just 49 starts at the position. He also played all seven positions during the 2024 season.

Three other Texas finalists did not win a 2026 Gold Glove. Right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom fell short in his category. Left fielder Wyatt Langford and center fielder Evan Carter also missed out. Duran brings the total number of Rangers players with a Gold Glove to 19.

The team has five winners in the last four seasons. Duran joins 2025 winner Marcus Semien and 2023 winners Adolis García, Nathaniel Lowe, and Jonah Heim. Texas players have now claimed Gold Glove awards at eight of the 10 current positions.

Rawlings will honor Duran and the other winners in a ceremony in New York City. The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6.