Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. and Royals Bobby Witt Jr. Awarded the 2025 Platinum Glove Award

A shortstop and outfielder were just bestowed with an accolade highlighting elite defensive talent displayed throughout the season. The San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. and Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr. have been awarded the 2025 Platinum Glove Award. This award is given to the best defensive player in each league, regardless of position.

This recognition of defense excellence commenced almost 15 years ago. According to sports brand, Rawlings,

“In 2011, Rawlings unveiled the first-ever Rawlings Platinum Glove Award™, a new fan-centric platform asking the game’s avid fans who the best defensive baseball player is among that season’s Rawlings Gold Glove Award® winners. To determine the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners, fans can only select one player among the Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners from each League.

[Two years later] in 2013, a new sabermetric component from the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award’s new presenting sponsor, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and its new SABR Defensive Index™ (SDI™) joined the international fan vote to determine the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners from each league. The SDI’s ability to accurately compare players from different positions helped establish the “science” behind the evolving Award platform.”

So this year’s voting fans and the “science” selected Bobby and Fernando. Since 2023, when Tatis Jr. moved from shortstop to right field, Tatis leads all NL outfielders by a wide margin with +42 DRS (defensive runs saved). You may recall seeing highlights of Fernando throwing out guys thanks to the perfect throw from right to third base or home plate. Or jumping with his athletic vertical to rob a batter at the fence. Furthermore, Fernando’s seamless transition to right field has resulted in two Gold Glove honors in three years.

Meanwhile, Bobby Witt Jr. co-led all MLB players — regardless of position — in Statcast Outs Above Average; with +24 (tied with Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong). Thus, demonstrating his tremendous range at shortstop. Since 2023, no player has racked up more OAA than Witt’s +54.

Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. and Royals Bobby Witt Jr. Awarded the 2025 Platinum Glove Award

So then, congratulations to these two amazing players! And can’t wait to see what they accomplish in 2026. However, can you name all the past winners? Or would you like a refresher on who won Platinum Gloves in the past? Here’s the official list:

Platinum Glove Winners

2025 – Fernando Tatis Jr. (NL), Bobby Witt Jr. (AL)

2024 – Brice Turang (NL), Cal Raleigh (AL)

2023 – Fernando Tatis Jr (NL), Andrés Giménez (AL)

2022 – Nolan Arenado (NL), Jose Trevino (AL)

2021 – Nolan Arenado (NL), Carlos Correa (AL)

2020 – Nolan Arenado (NL), Alex Gordon (AL)

2019 – Nolan Arenado (NL), Matt Chapman (AL)

2018 – Nolan Arenado (NL), Matt Chapman (AL)

2017 – Nolan Arenado (NL), Byron Buxton (AL)

2016 – Anthony Rizzo (NL), Francisco Lindor (AL)

2015 – Yadier Molina (NL), Kevin Kiermaier (AL)

2014 – Yadier Molina (NL), Alex Gordon (AL)

2013 – Andrelton Simmons (NL), Manny Machado (AL)

2012 – Yadier Molina (NL), Adrian Beltre (AL)

2011 – Yadier Molina (NL), Adrian Beltre (AL)

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