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Rangers' Duran Picks Up Gold Glove Award
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- Rangers' Duran Picks Up Gold Glove Award
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Ezequiel Duran was a stellar player in the field for the Texas Rangers last season, showing that he could provide solid defense when it was needed.
On Sunday, Nov. 1, Duran became the first Rangers player to win a Gold Glove Award at the utility position for the American League. The Gold Glove Award for that category was introduced back in 2022.
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Duran, though, was not solely a shortstop for Texas manager Skip Schumaker . Looking at his overall 2026 performance, Duran spent time at seven different positions for the Rangers. He played 53 games at shortstop, 37 games at second base, and 57 games at third base.
Duran delivered for Rangers
To say that Duran was an all-around player last season is an understatement.
In 539 at-bats last season, Duran put together a slash line of .260/.320/.739. He had 140 total hits, scored 71 runs, hit 17 home runs, collected 83 RBIs, and stole 12 bases.
What about Duran's career numbers? He's played all five of his major-league seasons with the Rangers, establishing himself as a player that Texas fans have come to enjoy seeing in the field.
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OK, those career numbers look like this for him. In 515 career MLB games, Duran has 1,626 at-bats, scored 193 runs, amassed 413 hits, and put up 628 total bases. But wait, there's more. He has 84 career doubles, seven triples, 39 home runs, 188 RBIs, and 36 stolen bases.
For his career slash line, Duran is sitting at .254/.304/.386 with an OPS of .690.
Numbers improved in 2026 season
Duran was born in 1999 at San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic.
In comparing those career numbers, Duran's 2026 statistics proved to be his second-best season as a major leaguer.
Of course, Texas fell short of winning the American League West Division last season. It was Schumaker's first season running the ballclub, so he's probably working on plans for the 2027 season.
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Duran is definitely in those plans. Ballclubs, if they can have a player like Duran on the 40-man roster, just love a guy who can step in and deliver. Duran's ability to play at multiple positions gives Schumaker a lot of options.
Winning a Gold Glove makes Duran stand out from other competitors around the AL. He's also become a rather tough out at the plate at times. Combine all of that together and Duran could have a long career with the Rangers.
That, though, depends on his contract situation. In January, Duran signed a one-year, $1.375 million deal to avoid arbitration.
