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Ezequiel Durán's sensational breakout season validated with 2026 Gold Glove win

With the looming lockout following a disappointing season, Rangers fans finally have a reason to be happy.
ByJackson Kruse
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Sep 13, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Ezequiel Duran (20) gets ready to field the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Ezequiel Duran (20) gets ready to field the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Texas Rangers certainly made things interesting until the final day of the season, but ultimately left fans disappointed after missing out on the playoffs for the third straight season. Texas finished the 2026 campaign in second place in the American League West with an 80-82 record, just one game behind the first-place Houston Astros, who had the worst record for a playoff team in MLB history at 81-81.

After missing the playoffs and with the looming lockout, it feels like a dark time for Rangers fans. On the bright side, utilityman Ezequiel Durán just won his first career Gold Glove Award, giving Texas fans a rare reason to be happy about their favorite team.

Durán was one of four Rangers players named a finalist for the 2026 Gold Glove Award. He was the only one of the four to win the award. The other three Rangers players who were finalists for the award were right-hander Jacob deGrom, center fielder Evan Carter, and left fielder Wyatt Langford.

Based on the competition, deGrom, Carter, and Langford seemed like long shots to win the award. Meanwhile, Durán appeared to have a strong chance to win the award for utility players.

José Caballero of the New York Yankees and Zach McKinstry of the Detroit Tigers were the other Gold Glove finalists for the utility position. Durán ranked last among the three in Defensive Runs Saved (+7), but led the group in Outs Above Average (+17), making it seem like a close race.

Durán made double-digit appearances at all three outfield positions, second base, third base, and shortstop in 2026.

Ezequiel Durán was the Texas Rangers' most valuable player in 2026

Largely because of his strong defense, Durán led the Rangers in WAR (4.4), according to FanGraphs, this year. The utilityman also had a solid season at the plate, slashing .260/.320/.419 (109 wRC+) with 17 home runs and 12 stolen bases over 153 games.

Durán is projected to make $4 million through arbitration in 2027. If he continues to perform as he did in 2026, that would be a complete steal for Texas. He is expected to reach free agency in 2029.

Durán's breakout surprised many Rangers fans. Before posting 4.4 fWAR this year, Durán had recorded just 1.8 fWAR in 362 games from 2022-25. Last year, he posted 0.0 fWAR with an awful .224/.266/.293 (58 wRC+) slash line over 90 games.

Duran may have given himself the nickname, "The Solution," but it's a moniker that fits him well. He shined with the glove no matter where Skip Schumaker lined him up, and he has proven to be an indispensible piece for the Rangers, especially when you consider how his bat (109 wRC+ in 2026) has blossomed.

With the Gold Glove in tow, Duran is one step closer to making history as the first utility man to take home both the Gold Glove Award and the Silver Slugger Award in the same year. The Silver Slugger nominees are set to be announced on Thursday, November 5 at 10 a.m. CST. Let's see where the chips fall for the dynamic fan favorite.

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