Two Tigers Named Gold Glove Finalists After Strong Defensive Seasons

Two Detroit Tigers have been named finalists for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, recognizing their defensive performances throughout the 2026 season.

Dillon Dingler earned a nomination at catcher, while Zach McKinstry was named a finalist in the utility category. Both players made their mark defensively, but their seasons tell different stories.

Dingler was on a tear this season, even reaching the point of receiving MVP consideration in late July. He entered the year with 15 career home runs before leading the Tigers with 29 home runs in 2026.

However, it was his defensive prowess, even more than his offense, that continued to turn heads.

His lightning-quick throws to second base helped shut down opposing baserunners, providing a major boost to a Tigers team that struggled at times. His efficiency in framing pitches and blocking balls also stood out, and the numbers backed up what fans were seeing on the field.

Now, Dingler is once again a Gold Glove finalist. Let's look at a few of his numbers from Baseball Savant.

Dingler's 1.86-second pop time and +6 framing runs were among the defensive numbers that highlighted his ability behind the plate.

In 2025, Dingler won the American League Gold Glove Award, joining Iván Rodríguez, Lance Parrish and Bill Freehan as the only Tigers catchers to earn the honor.

Now, he's back for seconds.

McKinstry didn't look as explosive as he had in previous years at the plate or on the basepaths, but his defensive ability remained at an elite level.

The versatile Tigers utility man finished in the 93rd percentile in Range (Outs Above Average), recording a +8 mark.

Range (OAA) measures a fielder's defensive range by estimating how many outs he has recorded above or below an average fielder, accounting for the difficulty of each play.

McKinstry also recorded an arm strength rating of 89.9 mph, placing him in the 85th percentile.

Honestly, McKinstry's defensive numbers don't jump off the page quite like Dingler's, and I don't expect him to take home the Gold Glove Award in the utility category. Still, earning a nomination means his defensive contributions didn't go unnoticed.

For the Tigers, having two players recognized among the American League's top defensive performers is another positive sign. Dingler will look to become a repeat winner behind the plate, while McKinstry will try to turn his versatility into his first Gold Glove.