Dillon Dingler wins second straight Gold Glove as Tigers catcher

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler was named the American League's best defensive catcher for the second consecutive year, receiving the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove award, according to Yahoo Sports.

Dingler's repeat win is the first for a Tigers catcher since Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez won three straight from 2005 to 2007. Other Tigers catchers with multiple consecutive Gold Gloves include Lance Parrish and Bill Freehan.

In 2026, Dingler led all MLB catchers in Fielding Run Value with 17, Defensive Runs Saved with 15, and ranked in the 100th percentile for framing, as reported by Statcast. He played in a career-high 146 games.

Dingler beat out Toronto Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela and New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells for the award. Meanwhile, teammate Zach McKinstry was a finalist for the utility player award but did not win.

McKinstry appeared at every defensive position except first base and catcher, including two innings as a pitcher. Despite a career-low OPS at the plate, he had his best defensive season with career highs in Defensive Runs Saved and Fielding Run Value.

The Gold Glove awards were decided by a combination of coaches' voting and advanced defensive metrics, with Ezequiel Duran of the Texas Rangers winning the utility player award over McKinstry and Jose Caballero of the Yankees.