THE APEX TIMES
Matt Olson was named the National League’s first baseman Gold Glove winner for 2026, adding another hardware to a career defined by steady, measurable defensive production.
Matt Olson’s defense at first base has produced his fourth career Gold Glove, as the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners were announced Sunday by MLB.
Olson, who previously won at first base in 2018 and 2019 and added another in 2025, was honored again after leading all National League first basemen in Outs Above Average (12) and fielding run value (12). He also ranked second among NL first basemen in Defensive Runs Saved (11), trailing only the Padres’ Ty France.
The Braves’ first-base Gold Glove history adds context to the repeat winner. MLB noted Olson joins Yuli Gurriel and Jeff Bagwell as the most recent Braves-linked first-base Gold Glove reference points in recent seasons, with MLB’s release also listing Gold Glove winners by position and club.
MLB’s full 2026 Gold Glove list showed a heavy East Coast tilt on the strength of first-year and multi-year defenders. Arizona and Boston each had three winners, tying for the most on one club, with the Diamondbacks also producing their catcher (Gabriel Moreno) and shortstop (Geraldo Perdomo).