ST. LOUIS, Mo. – With the World Series finishing up last week, Major League Baseball announced the winners of the 2026 Gold Glove Awards. For the first time since 2018, the Boston Red Sox had a trio of players win the American League Gold Gloves at their position.

WashU alumni Caleb Durbin became the first player in MLB history to have played their collegiate career in Division III and go on to win a Gold Glove at third base, or any position.

"It's an incredible honor. I think just looking at all the guys in the past that have won it," mentioned Durbin. "It has always been a goal of mine and something that I've really looked up to and it represents all the hard work you put in the past and all the people that have helped you along the way.

"One of the most impressive things about Caleb winning this award is that he barely had any experience playing third base prior to arriving in pro ball," said WashU head baseball coach Pat Bloom. "We always knew him as a shortstop and that is where he played with us for all three years.  I know that the distance between the two positions (shortstop & third base) are not that far apart on the field, but there are many nuances to playing third base that would make it a difficult transition in general – much less making it once you are playing professionally."

Durbin's teammates Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu were also selected as Gold Glove winners at center field and right field, respectively. It is the first time since 2018 that three Red Sox players have earned a Gold Glove in the same season.

"I think it's a big deal because we took a lot of pride in being a really good team defensively and made that side of the ball a big priority for us as team," Durbin remarked. "Dating back to the beginning of spring training is when it really starts to build that type of culture and it's nice to have the postseason accolades to show all the work we put in behind the scenes and on the field."

As the only current player to play his entire collegiate career at Division III, Durbin knows what it means to the future of that level. He believes that this will continue to open doors for guys that want to be the best player they can possibly be and they can play that in Division III.

"I just want to continue to be an example of that and show other people that if they put in their mind to it and really focus and work hard that it is possible they can make it happen," said Durbin.

"I think there are a lot of stereotypes out there about Division III athletics, and those of us who live it and breath it every day know that the competition and the quality of play, not just in baseball, but across all sports, is really impressive," Bloom alluded to. "Caleb's journey to Major League Baseball and now winning a Gold Glove is further proof that it's less about the level and more about what you have inside of you and how well you take advantage of the opportunities provided."

"Caleb has always defied the odds relative to the labels that have been placed on him ('D3 guy, too short, not a third baseman'). None of the outside noise keeps him from working hard on his craft as a baseball player. He is one of the toughest kids I have ever been around, and his work ethic is second to none. I am so proud of him, because I know that he has worked his tail off to become a starting third baseman – and now Gold Glover! – in the big leagues," added Bloom.

This season he needed them after being traded to the Red Sox prior to the spring training. Durbin was in a slump to start the season while the team started off 2-8 record in its first 10 games. With several new players to the lineup, it took a while for Boston to settle in and get things going. By the middle of June, things started to turn around. By July the Red Sox had the best single-month winning percentage in franchise history at 21-4.

"I think we understood the type of talent we had on our team across the board, and we knew we were a team that can contend to make a postseason run," added Durbin. "As soon as we got on a little bit of a run, and got our confidence in, we really kind of took off from there."

Boston eventually finished the regular season 87-75 and reached the AL Wild Card Series as one of three teams from the AL East to make the playoffs.

"I think our division had the three best records in the American League, so with that being said, it gets you ready for the post season because you're going to be playing those teams a lot," Durbin pointed out. "That being said, it doesn't make the post season any easier because those teams have seen you too."

In just his second season in the majors, Durbin finished the 2026 regular season with a .248 batting average while collecting 126 hits, including 13 home runs. He scored 74 runs while bringing in 64 more. He also grabbed 20 stolen bases.

"While Caleb does not need my advice, I do know he's about the craft and has a very strong belief inside of himself that the work is going to pay off over time," Bloom stated. "You have to be very tough, both mentally and physically, and Caleb continues to prove that he is both of those things."

 
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