Josh Smith will win Rangers’ first ever utility Gold Glove in 2025

Last year was the breakout season for Josh Smith but 2025 will be the year he shows it wasn’t a fluke.

Smith, 27, had a career year in 2024 stepping up to fill the gap of the injured Josh Jung. He set a career high in home runs (13), RBI (62), stolen bases (11), doubles (30), hits (135), runs (67) and a 3.2 WAR. 

In the offseason, Texas confirmed that Smith will be playing more a “super utility” role this season. This spring he played all over the diamond, sort of showing fans a sneak peek of how he will likely be used throughout the year.

Smith’s versatility was tested immediately out of the gate, filling it at shortstop for Corey Seager who started Opening Day as the team’s DH. In the top of the seventh inning on Thursday, Smith ranged up the middle to field a Triston Casas grounder snow-coned the ball, spun and made a bouncing throw to get him at first. At the time it was a 2-2 tie game and it really helped for the first out of the inning.

Smith at shortstop is just one of his many talents, with the ability to move around the diamond and play third base, second base, outfield and even got game reps at first base during spring training.

In 2022, due to rise in popularity and success of utility players being highly-talented fielders at multiple positions, Major League Baseball introduced and handed out the first utility Gold Gloves to one player in each the American League and National League.

The 2025 season will be truly be Smith’s first opportunity to get the utility award since barring any health, Texas’s main defensive weapons will play a majority of the season. Smith will likely play 4-5 games a week, each at different positions.

Despite being a little below average in arm strength and outs above average defensively, he has a similar skill set as Jung who is not really known for his defense but turns a lot of heads with some dazzling plays at the hot corner. Therefore I think Smith will win the 2025 American League Utility Gold Glove Award, adding that to his utility Silver Slugger from last season.