Texas Rangers' Ezequiel Duran wins AL Gold Glove at utility position

One of the few bright spots from an otherwise disappointing Rangers season has been properly rewarded.

Rangers infielder Ezequiel Duran was named the American League Gold Glove award winner at the utility position, the league announced Sunday on ESPN. Duran — who beat New York’s José Caballero and Detroit’s Zach McKinstry for the honor — became indispensable for the Rangers this season and was one of two players league-wide who played seven different positions. He is the first Rangers player to win the utility Gold Glove award in its five years of existence.

Duran became only the sixth player in baseball history to play 20-plus games at third base (57 games), shortstop (53 games), second base (37 games) and left field (21 games) in a single season. He finished as a plus defender at shortstop (where his 11 outs above average ranked fourth among all AL players at the position) and third base (where his 3 defensive runs saved were tied for ninth). His 4.4 WAR, which ranked 10th among all AL position players, was largely propped up by his exceptional defense across the field.

The 27-year-old was nicknamed “The Solution” by a winter league teammate prior to this season because of his versatility. Duran filled in for shortstop Corey Seager (who missed time because of a concussion and a back injury), third baseman Josh Jung (who missed time because of a calf injury), and left fielder Wyatt Langford (who missed time due to several soft tissue injuries). He also played first base, center field, and right field for the Rangers this season. In right field, which he only played 14 games at, his 3 defensive runs saved were tied for 15th among all AL players at the position.

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