Christian Walker gave the Houston Astros their first winner of Major League Baseball’s 2026 awards season Sunday night, capturing the American League Gold Glove at first base. It is the fourth Gold Glove of Walker’s career and his first since joining Houston.
Walker may not remain the Astros’ only winner for long. Yordan Alvarez enters November as a leading candidate for several major offensive honors, while Josh Hader, Isaac Paredes, Jeremy Peña, Cam Smith, and rookie AJ Blubaugh could also receive recognition.
The next important announcements arrive Monday, when the BBWAA reveals the finalists for Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young, Relief Pitcher of the Year, and MVP. The finalist show will air from 5–7 p.m. CT on MLB Network.
Walker Adds a Fourth Gold Glove
Walker won the AL award at first base after committing only three errors and posting a .997 fielding percentage. He opened the season with a 121-game errorless streak, the longest in the majors in 2026.
The award follows the three consecutive Gold Gloves Walker won with Arizona from 2022–24. He became the third Houston first baseman to receive the honor, joining Jeff Bagwell and Yuli Gurriel.
Cam Smith was Houston’s other Gold Glove finalist after recording seven outs above average in right field, but he did not win. Smith remains in contention for another honor as the Astros’ nominee for the Heart & Hustle Award, which recognizes passion, effort, and the traditions of the game.
Yordan Alvarez Could Add Several Awards
Alvarez produced the strongest offensive season of his career, winning the American League batting title with a .316 average. He also led the majors in on-base percentage (.432), slugging percentage (.601), OPS (1.033), and walks (109).
His 42 home runs and 106 RBIs were career highs. Alvarez also led the AL in total bases, extra-base hits, and offensive WAR, giving him the statistical résumé of an MVP favorite rather than merely a candidate.
The three AL MVP finalists will be announced Monday evening. The winner will be revealed at 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 12.
If Alvarez wins, he will become the third Astro to receive an MVP award, joining Jeff Bagwell in 1994 and José Altuve in 2017. The BBWAA vote was completed before the postseason, so Houston’s early playoff exit will not affect the result.
MVP is only one of several awards within Alvarez’s reach. He is also a finalist for the AL Hank Aaron Award and a nominee for the All-MLB Team. He is expected to contend for the Silver Slugger at designated hitter, the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, and AL Comeback Player of the Year.
The Hank Aaron, Edgar Martinez, Comeback Player, and All-MLB results will all be announced during the MLB Awards show beginning at 8 p.m. CT on Nov. 11.
Hader’s Shortened Season Could Still Earn Recognition
Josh Hader missed the first two months of the season with a left biceps injury, limiting his opportunity to accumulate the saves and innings of his competitors. Once activated, however, he converted all 26 of his save opportunities while posting a 1.01 ERA, a 0.76 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings.
Hader is one of three Astros on the All-MLB ballot, alongside Alvarez and Paredes. He could also receive consideration for both the new BBWAA Relief Pitcher of the Year Award and the established Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award.
The BBWAA will announce its three Relief Pitcher of the Year finalists Monday evening. That award and the Cy Young results will be revealed beginning at 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 11, followed by the Rivera Award during the MLB Awards presentation at 8 p.m. CT.
Hader’s performance was strong enough to compete with any AL reliever on a rate basis. His shortened season, however, could lead voters to favor a reliever who accumulated more saves and innings.
Peña, Paredes, and Blubaugh Have Outside Chances
Peña is a possible Silver Slugger finalist at shortstop after batting .277 with a .325 on-base percentage, a .477 slugging percentage, 22 home runs, and 56 RBIs. Louisville Slugger will announce the finalists before revealing the winners on Nov. 17.
Paredes is Houston’s third All-MLB nominee, appearing on the ballot at third base. All-MLB selections are determined through a combination of fan voting and a panel of media members, former players, broadcasters, and other baseball officials.
Blubaugh could receive AL Rookie of the Year votes after becoming one of Houston’s most useful pitchers. He led major-league relievers with 96 innings and recorded a 3.66 ERA while repeatedly covering multiple innings.
That workload gives Blubaugh a legitimate case for down-ballot recognition. Whether it is enough to place him among the three Rookie of the Year finalists will be determined Monday evening.
When the Awards Will Be Announced
The BBWAA finalist show will air from 5–7 p.m. CT Monday on MLB Network. Rookie of the Year will be revealed Nov. 9, Manager of the Year on Nov. 10, and the Cy Young and new BBWAA Relief Pitcher of the Year awards on Nov. 11. Those winner announcements begin at 6 p.m. CT.
The broader MLB Awards presentation begins at 8 p.m. CT on Nov. 11 and includes the Hank Aaron Award, All-MLB Teams, Comeback Player of the Year, Mariano Rivera Reliever of the Year, and Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. The MVP winners will be announced at 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 12, followed by the Silver Slugger winners on Nov. 17.
Walker has already ensured the Astros will not leave awards season empty-handed. Alvarez now has the opportunity to turn one confirmed honor into a much larger collection for Houston.
