14 first-timers highlight 2024 Gold Glove winners

The 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were announced Sunday night on ESPN, with first-timers once again stealing the show.

This year’s group of winners featured 14 first-time Gold Glovers, tied with 2022 for the most in a single season. Of course, it should be noted that ‘22 was also the first time that Rawlings awarded a Gold Glove to a utility player in each league.

• All-time Gold Glove Award winners

Regardless, this marks the fifth straight season with at least 10 first-time recipients, extending the longest streak in the history of the award.

• Most Gold Glove Awards all time at each position

The winners are below:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Catcher: Cal Raleigh, Mariners

Raleigh was remarkable behind the plate on his way to winning his first career Gold Glove -- and the first by any Mariners catcher. He led all AL backstops with 17 Defensive Runs Saved, second in the Majors at the position behind only San Francisco's Patrick Bailey (20). Raleigh also played a big role in the success of Seattle's pitching staff this season, leading all AL catchers in Baseball Savant's catcher framing runs metric. More >

First base: Carlos Santana, Twins

At 38 years and 174 days old on the final day of the regular season, Santana becomes the oldest position player to win his first career Gold Glove Award, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The only older players to win their first Gold Glove are both pitchers: Phil Niekro (39 years old in 1978) and R.A. Dickey (38 years, 336 days in 2013). Santana led all big league first basemen with 14 Outs Above Average, while his eight DRS were tied with Baltimore's Ryan Mountcastle for the most by any AL first baseman. More >

Second base: Andrés Giménez, Guardians

Giménez racked up 20 DRS this season, twice as many as any other AL second baseman (Marcus Semien was second with 10). He also led all Major League second basemen with 21 OAA, just ahead of Semien's 19. This marks Giménez’s third consecutive Gold Glove Award. More >

Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

Witt has established himself as a bona fide superstar -- and not just because of his offensive proficiency. Sure, he led the Majors with a .332 average while also hitting 32 homers and driving in 109 runs, but Witt also led all AL shortstops with 16 OAA. That was enough for Witt to take home his first career Gold Glove Award. More >

Third base: Alex Bregman, Astros

Bregman's trophy collection will get its first Gold Glove Award. The two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion won his first career Gold Glove after one of his stronger seasons at the hot corner. Bregman racked up six DRS in 2024 after combining for just four DRS from 2020-23. He also had six OAA, tied with Josh Rojas for second among AL third basemen behind only Jazz Chisholm Jr. More >

Left field: Steven Kwan, Guardians

Kwan is in some good company, joining Kenny Lofton as the only Cleveland outfielders to win three straight Gold Glove Awards. Kwan has racked up 47 DRS over the past three seasons, more than twice as many as any other left fielder during that span. His latest honor comes after he paced all AL left fielders with nine outfield assists. More >

Center field: Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays

Varsho earned his first career Gold Glove Award after a strong showing across the outfield for the Blue Jays. In fact, Varsho's 3.1 defensive WAR, per Baseball-Reference, were the most by any player at any position in the Majors this season. Overall, Varsho's 28 DRS between center field and left field were five more than any other outfielder, with Boston's Jarren Duran (23 DRS) checking in as the only player within 10 DRS of Varsho. More >

Right field: Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox

Abreu was a defensive star this season, becoming the first Red Sox rookie to win a Gold Glove Award since Fred Lynn in 1975. The 24-year-old Abreu led all right fielders with 17 DRS, while his nine outfield assists and seven OAA were each tied for the most by any player at the position. More >

• MLB rookies who won the Gold Glove Award

Pitcher: Seth Lugo, Royals

With his first career Gold Glove Award, Lugo joins Bret Saberhagen as the only Royals pitchers to claim the honor. Lugo’s five DRS were tied for the second most by any pitcher this season and he did not make an error. More >

Utility: Dylan Moore, Mariners

Moore claimed his first career Gold Glove Award after once again proving to be a jack of all trades for the Mariners. He played first base (11 games), second base (37), third base (45), shortstop (49), left field (22) and even made a lone one-inning appearance in center field this season. Moore was a serviceable defender at every stop, providing solid production across the diamond. More >

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Catcher: Patrick Bailey, Giants

Bailey's first career Gold Glove comes as no surprise. The 25-year-old led all catchers with 20 DRS while also ranking first in catcher framing, second in catcher's caught stealing above average and third in average pop time, per Baseball Savant. Bailey joins fellow Giants catcher Buster Posey (2016) and Austin Hedges (2017 Padres) as the only backstops with at least 20 DRS in a single season over the past decade. More >

First base: Christian Walker, D-backs

Walker continued to flash his defensive prowess in 2024, winning his third consecutive Gold Glove Award. Much like in previous seasons, his latest honor comes as little surprise after Walker led all NL first basemen with 13 OAA. That was five more than the next-highest total by any NL first baseman (Bryce Harper, eight). Over the past three seasons, Walker has accounted for 39 OAA -- more than double the amount of any other first baseman. More >

Second base: Brice Turang, Brewers

Turang claimed his first Gold Glove Award after leading all second basemen with 22 DRS this season. He also paced all NL players – regardless of position – in Baseball-Reference’s defensive WAR metric. Turang is the first Brewers second baseman to win a Gold Glove. More >

Shortstop: Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies

Tovar earned his first career Gold Glove after turning in a strong defensive performance across the board. He ranked second among NL shortstops with 10 DRS and fourth with 15 OAA, but Tovar was the only NL shortstop to accumulate double-digit marks in both DRS and OAA. More >

Third base: Matt Chapman, Giants

Chapman adds to his collection, winning his second straight Gold Glove -- and fifth overall. He led all third basemen across the Majors with 17 DRS, while his 11 OAA were tied with Milwaukee’s Joey Ortiz for the most at the hot corner. More >

Left field: Ian Happ, Cubs

Happ led all NL left fielders with eight DRS, while his 11 outfield assists led all left fielders, regardless of league. This marks Happ’s third consecutive Gold Glove Award, making him the first Cubs outfielder to win three straight Gold Gloves. More >

Center field: Brenton Doyle, Rockies

Perhaps no surprise given the defensive nature of the position, but the battle for the Gold Glove among NL center fielders was one of the most competitive. Doyle ultimately claimed his second straight Gold Glove Award after tallying eight outfield assists (tied for the most among NL center fielders) and ranking near the top of the group in DRS (11) and OAA (16) accumulated in center. More >

Right field: Sal Frelick, Brewers

Frelick's 16 DRS were easily the most by any NL right fielder this season -- and trailed only Abreu (17) among right fielders overall. Frelick also accounted for seven OAA, tied with teammate Jackson Chourio and Abreu for the most by any player in right field this season. More >

Pitcher: Chris Sale, Braves

Sale’s first career Gold Glove Award puts him in some good company, as he joins Phil Niekro, Greg Maddux, Mike Hampton and Max Fried as Braves pitchers to win a Gold Glove. The honor comes after Sale also earned the NL pitching Triple Crown this season, pacing the league in wins, strikeouts and ERA. More >

Utility: Jared Triolo, Pirates

Triolo played solid defense regardless of where the Pirates deployed him across the infield this season. The 26-year-old utility player spent most of his time at third base (61 games) or second base (47 games), but he also made his share of appearances at first base (nine) and shortstop (nine) -- and a lone appearance in right field. More >