Cody Bellinger added to his trophy case on Sunday night, winning the second Gold Glove Award of his career.
The Yankees’ left fielder beat out fellow American League finalists Wyatt Langford, of the Rangers, and Chandler Simpson, of the Rays. Bellinger also won a Gold Glove in 2019 when he primarily played right field for the Dodgers.
With 21 Defensive Runs Saved, Bellinger led all left fielders by a wide margin in 2026. Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio, who won the NL Gold Glove for left fielders, finished second with 13.
Bellinger and Chourio led the position with a Fielding Run Value of eight. Bellinger also finished second with six Outs Above Average and third with eight assists. He only made three errors.
“He’s just a tremendous athlete,” Aaron Boone said in August. “I think he’s just really good on his feet, really good off-balance, really good when he gets his hands on it. A really good and smart and accurate thrower. It’s just a look at a really good athlete that’s gotten really good at playing the corner.”
Able to play all three outfield positions and first base, Bellinger has always been considered a strong defender. However, he took his game to another level in 2026.
In August, he credited another sport for that, as the Yankees previously recommended that he adopt the pre-serve hops that tennis players often use. Doing so helped him improve his first step in the outfield, leading to better reactions.
“When these guys are getting serves at them 115 mph, you’ll see this little pre-step that they do,” Bellinger said, “and we’ve taken that on defense, and it’s been good for me.”
Bellinger was one of a few Yankees who were finalists for a Gold Glove Award this year. Austin Wells was in consideration for the catching position, while José Caballero was a candidate for the utility award. Ultimately, Detroit’s Dillon Dingler and Texas’ Ezequiel Duran won those awards in the AL.