Astros' Christian Walker Wins His Fourth Gold Glove - His First in Houston
Major League Baseball announced the 2026 Gold Glove winners on Sunday night, and Houston's first baseman took the American League award at first base for the fourth Gold Glove of his career. Astros right fielder Cam Smith, a finalist for the second straight year, finished behind Boston's Wilyer Abreu.
HOUSTON - Christian Walker is a Gold Glove winner again - this time as an Astro. Major League Baseball announced the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove winners on Sunday night, and Walker won the American League award at first base, the fourth Gold Glove of his career and his first with Houston.
Walker won out over a heavyweight finalist field: Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kansas City's Vinnie Pasquantino were the other two finalists at the position. His previous three Gold Gloves came in consecutive seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, from 2022 through 2024. The winners were determined by votes from the managers and coaches of all 30 teams, combined with input from the SABR Defensive Index.
Houston's other finalist came up short for a second straight year. Right fielder Cam Smith was one of three finalists in right field, where Boston's Wilyer Abreu won for the third straight season - Abreu led all of Major League Baseball with 28 defensive runs saved. The Red Sox and the Arizona Diamondbacks led all clubs with three winners apiece.
For the Astros, Walker's award is a bookend to the defensive case the club made all season at the corner: the finalist file this station published on Sunday made Smith's range case in right, and by Sunday night the organization had one winner and one finalist to show for it - with Walker's fourth career glove the headline.
