Braves Defense: Olson and Dubón Add to Franchise History

Matt Olson and Mauricio Dubón received Rawlings Gold Glove Awards for the 2026 season on Sunday night, marking the first time since 2022 that two Atlanta Braves players won the honor in the same year. The recognition extends a period of defensive consistency for the franchise, which has accumulated 12 Gold Gloves across seven of the last nine seasons dating back to 2018.

Olson, a 32-year-old first baseman, claimed his fourth Gold Glove. He joined Christian Walker and Paul Goldschmidt as the only active players at that position to reach that milestone. Olson defeated Ty France of San Diego and T.J. Rumfield of Colorado in the voting. His selection reflects a season in which he led all Major League first basemen in innings played, appearing in all 162 games.

Statistical data supported Olson’s selection. He paced all first basemen in Outs Above Average and overall fielding run value, with both metrics registering at 12. He ranked second only to France in Defensive Runs Saved, accumulating 11. This performance added to his reputation for durability and consistency behind the plate.

Dubón, also 32, won the utility Gold Glove for the third time in his career. He is the first Atlanta player to receive this specific award since Rawlings introduced the category in 2022. Dubón has won the utility award in three of the five years it has existed, including two victories while playing for the Houston Astros in the American League. He is the only multi-time winner in the history of the position.

His 2026 season demonstrated a wide range of defensive responsibilities. Dubón recorded 75 starts in left field, 51 at shortstop, 14 in center field, five at third base, and four at second base. The voting process that determined these winners splits the total into two parts. Managers and up to six coaches from each team cast ballots for 75% of the vote, excluding their own players. The remaining 25% is derived from the SABR Defensive Index, a formula that evaluates range, arm strength, and fielding reliability.

Other Braves players were finalists for the awards. Left-hander Chris Sale and center fielder Michael Harris II did not win the honors at their respective positions. Sale was edged out by Nolan McLean of the New York Mets, while Harris II lost to Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs. The full list of 2026 winners includes players from the Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Chicago Cubs in the National League, and the Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, and Boston Red Sox in the American League.

The awards ceremony concluded the recognition cycle for the 2026 season. The distribution of trophies among the 20 recipients reflects the diverse defensive contributions across both leagues. No further Gold Glove announcements are scheduled for the 2026 season.