ST. LOUIS (DA) — Curaçao-born center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela won the 2026 American League Rawlings Gold Glove Award on Sunday, giving the Boston Red Sox outfielder the honor for a second consecutive season.
Rafaela, 26, led major league center fielders with 21 defensive runs saved. His total tied for third among defenders at any position and for second among outfielders.
He also led AL center fielders with eight assists and a fielding run value of 16. His 10 five-star catches were the most among qualified major league outfielders.
The recognition follows his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award in center field from Sports Info Solutions, giving Rafaela a repeat of both defensive honors he earned in 2025.
Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians and Evan Carter of the Texas Rangers were the other finalists for the AL center field Gold Glove.
For the nine traditional defensive positions, managers and up to six coaches from each team vote for eligible players in their league, excluding their own players. Those ballots carry most of the selection weight, while the Society for American Baseball Research’s Defensive Index accounts for approximately 25%.
Rafaela is now eligible for the Platinum Glove, which recognizes one defensive player in each league through a combination of fan voting and the defensive index.
Voting is open through Nov. 5 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The Platinum Glove winners will be announced Nov. 6 at the Gold Glove Award ceremony in New York City.