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Taylor Walls, Chandler Simpson named Gold Glove award finalists

The Tampa Bay Rays have earned a pair of Gold Glove finalists in shortstop Taylor Walls and left fielder Chandler Simpson, marking a season of defensive transformation for both players. Walls, a defensive stalwart since his 2021 debut, has quietly cemented his reputation as one of baseball’s best fielders, ranking fourth in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) this year with 21.

Though he trails Bobby Witt Jr. and Andrés Giménez in Outs Above Average (OAA), Walls’ consistency and elite range—his third Gold Glove nomination—make him a strong contender.

Meanwhile, Simpson’s nomination reflects a dramatic turnaround after a shaky 2025 campaign, thanks to targeted coaching from former Rays star Kevin Kiermaier, outfield coordinator Jared Sandberg, and hitting coach Corey Dickerson. His defensive metrics now rival the best in the league, including a league-leading +8 OAA and 200 more innings logged than rival Cody Bellinger.

The winners will be announced on ESPN on November 1, capping off a season where defensive excellence took center stage for both Rays standouts.

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