HOUSTON – October 15, 2025 – The Houston Astros had two players named as finalists for the 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, with rookie right fielder Cam Smith and veteran utilityman Mauricio Dubón both earning recognition for their defensive excellence during the regular season.
The 2025 Gold Glove Award winners will be announced on ESPN on Sunday, November 2.
Cam Smith: A Rookie Sensation in Right Field
Smith’s Gold Glove finalist nod represents a remarkable achievement for a player who had never played outfield professionally until midway through spring training. The 22-year-old, acquired in the trade that sent Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, was converted from third base to right field and became Houston’s opening day right fielder—a gamble that paid off spectacularly.
Smith is one of three American League finalists at the position, joining Wilyer Abreu of the Red Sox and Adolis García of the Rangers. All three demonstrated elite defensive skills throughout the season, particularly with their throwing arms.
Smith’s average arm strength of 90.8 mph ranked in the 88th percentile among all MLB fielders, while his +12 defensive runs saved trailed only García (+16) and Abreu (+15) among AL right fielders. Playing in 132 games in right field and logging 1,079⅓ innings there—eighth-most in the majors—Smith finished with six outfield assists and just two errors.
Range became a particular strength for Smith, a quality that surprised many who watched him make the position switch from third base. As of August 10, the SABR Defensive Index ranked him second among American League right fielders, showcasing his rapid adaptation to a position he’d been learning on the fly.
“It’s a tremendous honor for Cam to be recognized like this in his rookie season at a new position,” said manager Joe Espada. “What he accomplished defensively this year exceeded all reasonable expectations.”
The recognition is especially notable given that Smith is competing against established defenders. García already has one Gold Glove to his name, and Abreu has also won the award previously. For a first-year player at a new position to break into this exclusive group speaks volumes about Smith’s natural athleticism and defensive instincts.
Mauricio Dubón: Consistent Excellence Across the Diamond
Dubón earned his third consecutive Gold Glove finalist nomination at the utility position, having won the award in 2023 and serving as a finalist in 2024. He joins Ernie Clement of the Blue Jays and Daniel Schneemann of the Guardians as the three AL utility finalists.
For the third straight season, Dubón played every position on the diamond except pitcher and catcher, showcasing the versatility that has made him one of baseball’s most valuable defensive weapons. His 2025 defensive numbers were stellar across the board: 14 defensive runs saved, +17 fielding run value, and +20 outs above average—the sixth-most in all of Major League Baseball regardless of position.
Dubón’s +20 OAA tied for sixth in MLB among all players, a remarkable achievement that underscores his ability to provide elite defense at multiple positions. His 2.9 defensive WAR in previous seasons has been among the league’s best, and his consistency at the utility spot has made him invaluable to the Astros.
“Mauricio’s ability to play anywhere we need him and play it at a Gold Glove level is something we never take for granted,” Espada said. “He’s a manager’s dream because you can plug him in anywhere and know you’re getting elite defense.”
Dubón faces stiff competition from Clement, whose 2.9 defensive WAR tied for the most in MLB with Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela. Clement is also a third base finalist and could become the first player to win Gold Gloves at multiple positions in the same year if he prevails in both categories.
Astros’ Defensive Legacy
The Gold Glove finalist nods continue Houston’s tradition of defensive excellence, though the organization is hoping to add to its trophy case after a challenging 2025 season. Third baseman Alex Bregman was the Astros’ lone Gold Glove winner in 2024, while Kyle Tucker last won the award as an outfielder in 2022.
Only three outfielders in Astros history have won Gold Gloves: Tucker, Michael Bourn, and César Cedeño. Smith has the opportunity to become the fourth if he wins the award, which would be a remarkable accomplishment for a player in his first season at the position.
For Dubón, winning his second Gold Glove would cement his status as one of the premier utility defenders in baseball and validate the Astros’ faith in his versatility.
The Selection Process
Gold Glove winners are determined by a combination of votes from MLB managers and coaches (75%) and the SABR Defensive Index (25%). For the utility position specifically, Rawlings collaborated with SABR to create a specialized defensive formula separate from the traditional selection process.
The awards will be presented during a ceremony on November 2, with the winners announced live on ESPN. Both Smith and Dubón will be hoping to bring home hardware that would provide a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Astros, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
The Houston Astros organization congratulates both Cam Smith and Mauricio Dubón on their Gold Glove finalist nominations.