Olson and Dubon secure 2026 Gold Gloves for Atlanta
The Braves' first baseman and utility player join a short list of active players with multiple defensive honors.
By Zoe Harrison ·
Matt Olson and Mauricio Dubón each earned a Rawlings Gold Glove Award on Sunday, marking the first time two Atlanta Braves shared the distinction in a single season since 2022. The recognition confirms their status as the National League’s premier defenders for the 2026 campaign. Olson, 32, accepted the award for first base, while Dubón, also 32, took home the utility player honor.
The voting process combined human observation with statistical data. Managers and up to six coaches per team cast ballots that accounted for 75% of the total vote, with the restriction that they could not select their own players. The remaining 25% was determined by the SABR Defensive Index, a formula evaluating range, arm strength, and fielding reliability. A separate calculation using the same index determined the utility category winner.
Olson’s achievement places him in exclusive company. At 32, he is one of only three active first basemen to win four Gold Gloves, alongside Christian Walker and Paul Goldschmidt. His defense was consistent throughout the year, as he appeared in all 162 games. He led all Major League first basemen in Outs Above Average with a score of 12 and matched that total in overall fielding run value. He ranked second only to San Diego’s Ty France in Defensive Runs Saved, posting 11.
Dubón’s versatility defined his season. He made 75 starts in left field, 51 at shortstop, 14 in center field, five at third base, and four at second base. This performance made him the first Atlanta player to win the utility Gold Glove since Rawlings introduced the category in 2022. He has won the award three times in the last five years, including two American League nods while with the Astros, making him the only multi-time winner in the position’s history.
The awards extend a strong defensive record for the franchise. The Braves have claimed 12 Gold Gloves across seven of the last nine seasons since 2018. Chris Sale and Michael Harris II were finalists this year but were edged out by Nolan McLean of the Mets and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs. The full list of 2026 winners includes players from the Diamondbacks, Brewers, Cubs, and Mets in the National League, and the Guardians, Tigers, Astros, Mariners, Red Sox, Rays, Yankees, and Rangers in the American League.
