The Chicago Cubs had six finalists for gold glove awards with three players ultimately taking home the honors and now the team's identity has been cemented with another recognition of defensive excellence.
Leading almost every single major category on defense the Cubs won the 2025 Team Gold Glove Award by Rawlings in the National League.
Via the Wrigley Wire.
The Cubs National League Fielding Ranks:
84 DRS - 1st
29 OAA - 2nd
40 FRV - 1st
34.7 Def - 1st
That's some elite team defense right there and the foundation is strong up with the middle with Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Pete Crow-Armstrong. Matt Shaw was also a gold glove finalist over at third base, which was a somewhat stunning revelation after he had questions about his defense entering the season. Plus, Ian Happ won his fourth straight NL Gold Glove Award in left field. Catcher Carson Kelly and starting pitcher Matthew Boyd were also finalists at their respective positions.
Fielding Bible Honors
In 2025, fans were finally able to watch another elite defensive effort by the Chicago Cubs. Defense was a huge factor in the team's success during their 2016 World Series run and although this past year didn't match that historic performance the Cubs have been recognized for being the best defensive team in MLB.
The Fielding Bible awards were released earlier this week and the Cubs were named the Team of the Year. As far as individual honors go, Nico Hoerner was the best defensive second baseman in MLB. However, there was one surprise for Cubs fans as Pete Crow-Armstrong wasn't the winner at center field. Instead, Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela took the honors.
Before we get too worked up as Cubs fans, the defensive metrics do back up the decision. Rafaela finished the 2025 season leading all MLB center fielders in defensive runs saved, fielding runs above average and outs above average, while Crow-Armstrong ranked second overall.
Still, great to see the Cubs and Hoerner highlighted for some impressive defense in 2025.
Hoerner was by far the best at his position. It wasn't close.
Nico Hoerner 2025 Defensive Rankings
17 Defensive Runs Saved: 1st (Brice Turange 2nd place with 7 DRS)
12.3 Def: 1st (Bryson Stott 2nd place with 6.9 Def)
14 Outs Above Average: 1st (Stott and Marcus Semien t-2nd with 7 OAA)
More on the accolades via The Fielding Bible Awards.
“The Chicago Cubs are our inaugural Defensive Team of the Year winner. They ranked second in the majors and led all NL teams in Defensive Runs Saved.The Cubs were the only team to have a positive Runs Saved total from eight of the nine defensive positions (all but right field).
They had the MLB leader in Runs Saved at second base (Nico Hoerner, who won the Fielding Bible Award) and the runner-up in center field (Pete Crow-Armstrong). They also had the No. 3 left fielder (Ian Happ), and the No. 3 pitcher (Matthew Boyd), as well as the No. 4 third baseman (Matt Shaw).”
Earlier in October, the Cubs had six players named finalists for Gold Glove awards: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw, Carson Kelly and Matthew Boyd. So, we should see more hardware coming to the Cubs later in the offseason.
Cubs' starting pitcher Cade Horton already has one award to his name this year as he won 2025 National League Rookie of the Year at The Sporting News.
