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5 Blue Jays named 2026 American League Gold Glove finalists
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Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Oct 14, 2026, 15:25 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ defensive efforts during the 2026 season are being recognized. 
On Wednesday, five Blue Jays including right-hander José Soriano, catcher Brandon Valenzuela, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., shortstop Andrés Giménez, and outfielder Nathan Lukes were all nominated as 2026 Gold Glove finalists. 
The nominations mean each of these players finished in the top three for most votes among all players at their respective positions. 
José Soriano 
Soriano, whom the Blue Jays acquired at MLB’s trade deadline in exchange for three prospects, impressed this season in the field. In his 32 starts, Soriano recorded 18 putouts, 21 assists, three double plays, and turned in a perfect fielding percentage. 
The 27-year-old’s athleticism was on full display during a 10-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on August 18. Soriano covered first on two inning-ending 3-6-1 double plays that helped keep the Rays off the board and allowed him to hold the American League East winners to three runs across 5.2 innings, resulting in his first win in a Blue Jays uniform. 
Soriano was nominated alongside Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee and Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom. 
Brandon Valenzuela
Acquired by the Blue Jays on July 31, 2025, in exchange for Will Wagner, Valenzuela was recalled by Toronto on April 4, following an injury to Alejandro Kirk, and ended up spending the rest of the season on their active roster. 
Valenzuela appeared in 84 games behind the plate for the Blue Jays in his rookie season and turned in a fielding percentage of .986. Where Valenzuela really shined was his ability to control the run game. Valenzuela threw out 30.1% (19-for-63), and while he didn’t qualify among catchers, the league’s best was William Contreras at 34.2%, showcasing how good of a year the 26-year-old had behind the dish. 
The other nominees for the award were Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler and New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells. 
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 
Guerrero is looking for his second AL Gold Glove Award after taking home the honours in 2022. After going through an adjustment period after moving to first base, Guerrero has solidified himself as one of the better defenders at the position in the game. 
The 27-year-old committed eight errors, one fewer than the 2025 campaign, and posted a career-high fielding percentage of .992 across 128 games. Guerrero will have to beat out Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker. Among the three, Guerrero’s defensive wins above replacement of 0.3 ranked the highest. 
Andrés Giménez 
After winning three straight AL Gold Gloves at second base while a member of the Cleveland Guardians, Giménez is looking to take home the award for the first time since moving to shortstop. 
All of Giménez’s 148 starts this season came at shortstop, and the 28-year-old posted a .985 fielding percentage to go along with +19 outs above average (OAA), tied for the second-highest mark in the majors, trailing only Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals. 
Witt and Rays shortstop Taylor Walls are the two other nominees in the AL. 
Nathan Lukes 
This is the first time Lukes was nominated for a Gold Glove, and his recognition is well deserved. Lukes turned in a perfect fielding percentage in right field and tied for third-most outfield assists among all right fielders with nine. 
Lukes’ OAA of two tied for 10th best in MLB, while the 32-year-old was ranked to have the AL’s most valuable arm according to Statcast’s arm value metric. 
Lukes was nominated alongside fellow right fielders Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox and Cam Smith of the Houston Astros. 
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