List of Gold Glove finalists shows just how good the Guardians are on defense 

In 2025, the Cleveland Guardians won the American League Central on the back of some stellar pitching and great defense (along with some luck). 

On Wednesday we got a reminder of just how good Cleveland’s defense was when four Guardians were nominated for the Gold Glove award at their position. 

The winners will be announced on November 2nd. The nominees are decided by voting from all 30 managers and up to six coaches from each team. Those ballots make up 75% of a player’s total, with the other 25% coming from the SABR Defensive Index. 

Four Guardians are up for Gold Glove award after strong 2025 season

The list is highlighted by first baseman Carlos Santana, who will be looking to win back-to-back Gold Gloves at first base after winning his first last year at the ripe age of 38. 

While the Guardians let him go at the end of August, he’s still eligible for the award in the American League since he spent 116 games with the Guardians. He tallied 8 Outs Above Average at first this season, which was the third-best mark in baseball. He’ll be going against Toronto’s Ty France and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Meanwhile, José Ramírez has a chance to win the first Gold Glove of his career at third base. He’ll be going against Toronto’s Ernie Clement and Kansas City’s Maikel Garcia. 

Ramírez posted 7 Outs Above Average and 6 Fielding Run Value at third base, and is now a seven-time finalist for the award. Clement posted the best defensive numbers of the trio, but he also moved around the diamond for the Blue Jays this year. 

Another year, another Gold Glove nomination for Steven Kwan. After winning the Gold Glove in each of his first three seasons in the league, he has the inside track to win it for the fourth straight year. He was worth 22 Defensive Runs Saved (which led all first baseman) and was worth 6 Outs Above Average. 

He’s one of baseball’s best defenders, and that should help him win another Gold Glove. 

Lastly we have Schneemann, who was nominated in the utility category. He’ll be going against Clement (who has a chance to be the fourth player to win a Gold Glove at multiple positions) and Houston’s Mauricio Dubón. 

Schneemann was worth 8 Outs Above Average and 8 DRS while playing all over the diamond. He appeared in 74 games at second base, 27 games at third base, 11 at shortstop and 38 games in the outfield. 

There are plenty of other Guardians connections on the nominee list, as former Guardians Clement, Andrés Giménez and Matthew Boyd are also up for Gold Gloves. If Giménez takes home the honor at second base, it’ll be his fourth straight Gold Glove win.