ST. LOUIS — Mariners infielder Cole Young was named the Gold Glove Award winner for the American League at second base.
Young becomes the second Mariners player to win a Gold Glove in his age-22 season or younger, joining Ken Griffey Jr., who achieved the feat three times.
He’s also the third-youngest second baseman to win a Gold Glove, behind only Bill Mazeroski (1958) and Ken Hubbs (1962).
After an average defensive season as a rookie in 2025, Young worked on improving in the infield.
Clearly, the hard work paid off.
Young finished the season with 16 defensive runs saved (DRS), tied for eighth-best in MLB at any position.
Young led all AL second basemen in almost every defensive category, including innings, putouts, assists, fielding percentage, and defensive runs saved. He also played the most games of any AL second baseman.
First baseman Christian Walker of Houston and Matt Olson of Atlanta won their fourth Gold Gloves on Sunday, while Boston right fielder Wilyer Abreu won the fielding honor for the third year in a row.
The Red Sox and Arizona tied for the high with three Gold Glove winners each. Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela earned the honor for the second straight season, and third baseman Caleb Durbin was a first-time winner.
Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno won his second Gold Glove, his first since 2023, while shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and right fielder Corbin Carroll were first-time winners.
Walker added to the Gold Gloves he won in 2022, ‘23 and ’24. Olson also earned the honor in 2018, ‘19 and ’25.
Braves utility man Mauricio Dubón won his third Gold Glove after 2023 and ’25.
Other second-time winners included Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong; New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger; Detroit catcher Dillon Dingler; and Milwaukee second baseman Brice Turang.
Additional first-time winners included Cleveland pitcher Tanner Bibee; Milwaukee left fielder Jackson Chourio; Texas utility man Ezequiel Duran; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean; and Tampa Bay shortstop Tanner Walls.
Voting was conducted among managers and up to six coaches from each team, who can’t select players on their own club. Since 2013, voting has been factored with a Society for American Baseball Research defensive index, which comprises about 25% of the total.
The utility category is based on a SABR formula and additional defensive statistics.
Walker earned a $75,000 bonus for winning the honor, Bibee $50,000, and Turang $25,000.