Texas Rangers Turn Disappointment Into Defensive Dominance
The Texas Rangers might have fallen short of October glory, but they just pulled off a stunning twist that’s turning heads across Major League Baseball.
Despite an 81–81 record and a season riddled with injuries, Texas walked away with something even the playoff teams couldn’t claim — the 2025 American League Team Gold Glove Award.
Yes, you read that right. While other clubs battled for postseason spots, the Rangers quietly built a defensive fortress so airtight that Rawlings had no choice but to crown them the best fielding team in the American League.
From Missed Chances to Golden Gloves
It’s no secret: 2025 wasn’t kind to the Rangers’ offense. The bats went silent, stars went down, and the dream of another playoff run faded fast. Yet even in the toughest moments, defense became the team’s heartbeat.
The numbers prove it. According to FanGraphs, Texas led all of MLB in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with a jaw-dropping +89, narrowly edging out the Chicago Cubs (+84) and the Dodgers (+67).
That effort earned them their first-ever AL Team Gold Glove since Rawlings introduced the honor in 2020.
“We might not have been in the postseason,” one team source told Talkin’ Baseball, “but nobody out-defended us this year. Nobody.”
The Elite Glove Squad: Rangers’ Defensive Stars Steal the Show
Leading the charge was none other than Adolis García, who finished first among all MLB right fielders with +16 Defensive Runs Saved — a stat that cements him as one of baseball’s top outfield defenders.
Marcus Semien wasn’t far behind, delivering another Gold-standard season before a late-August foot injury sidelined him. His +5 DRS and +7 Outs Above Average (OAA) ranked him among the top three second basemen in baseball, earning him his second career Gold Glove in the process.
The defensive wall didn’t stop there:
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Josh Jung locked down the hot corner with +5 OAA (7th among MLB third basemen).
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Wyatt Langford Wyatt Langford flashed brilliance in left field, tying for 4th-best among left fielders with +5 OAA.
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Corey Seager, even while battling nagging injuries, remained a model of steadiness at shortstop.
It was defense by committee — every player buying in, every inning a highlight reel waiting to happen.
Rangers Join MLB’s Elite Gold Glove History
The American League Team Gold Glove might not be the flashiest prize, but make no mistake — it’s a badge of baseball perfection.
Introduced by Rawlings in 2020, the award recognizes the best defensive unit in each league using advanced analytics. And for the first time, the Rangers have their name etched into that golden history alongside powerhouse teams like the Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs took home the National League honor, but even they couldn’t match Texas’ superior +89 DRS.
It’s proof that when the bats go cold, defense can still keep the lights shining in Arlington.
2026 Outlook: Can Texas Turn Gloves Into Wins?
This award isn’t just a consolation trophy — it’s a sign of hope.
Texas now knows what its identity must be moving forward: pitching, precision, and pure defensive excellence. If the Rangers can merge this elite glove work with a revitalized offense, they’ll be right back in the postseason conversation by next summer.
The Gold Glove might be made of leather and gold, but for Rangers fans, it feels like redemption.
Because in a season of frustration, Texas didn’t just win an award — they won respect.
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