There is a wind of change blowing through the catcher Golden Glove. Yang Eui-ji (Doosan Bears) and Kang Min-ho (Samsung Lions), who have long shared the golden glove, were both left off the candidate list. With the names of the two veterans gone, attention is focused on whether Heo In-seo (Hanwha Eagles), who hit 20 home runs this season, will emerge as the new protagonist.
The Korea Baseball Organization announced 79 nominees for the <a href="https://bitcomme.com/nc-opens-2-1m-in-sbir-tech-grants-2026/” title=”NC Opens $2.1M in SBIR Tech Grants [2026]”>2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Golden Glove on the 17th, 2026. The golden gloves, given to the top performers by position, are awarded to a total of 10 players: pitchers and catchers, infielders, outfielders and designated hitters.
One of the most eye-catching categories this year is catcher. Yang Eui-ji and Kang Min-ho, who had been indispensable in Golden Glove competition, both failed to meet the selection criteria. With both excluded, a new winner will be born in the catcher category.
Attention naturally turns to Heo In-seo. Heo In-seo, who showcased his offensive power by hitting 20 home runs this season, is challenging for his first Golden Glove. How highly the long-ball power he showed as a catcher will be rated in the vote is the key.
Of course the competition is fierce. In the catcher category, Heo In-seo is joined by Park Dong-won of the LG Twins, Cho Hyung-woo of the SSG Landers, Kim Hyung-jun of the NC Dinos, Han Seung-taek of the KT Wiz and Son Seong-bin of the Lotte Giants as candidates. Because the Golden Glove evaluates not only offensive performance but also defensive contribution and overall season performance, final results are difficult to predict.
Looking at the full list of nominees, the pitcher category has the most with 25. There are 21 outfielders, seven catchers and seven shortstops, six second basemen, five first basemen and five third basemen, and three designated hitters.
Selection criteria differ by position. Pitchers must meet one of the following: reach the required innings, record 10 or more wins, 30 or more saves, or 30 or more holds.
Catchers and position players must have played at least 720 innings at their position, and designated hitters must have logged at least 297 plate appearances as designated hitters to be eligible as nominees.
The regular-season individual category leader is automatically registered as a candidate at that position regardless of appearance criteria. Title holders who played multiple positions and did not meet the criteria are classified by the position with the most defensive innings, and separate criteria are applied.
Golden Glove voting begins on the 17th, 2026. Media representatives covering the KBO League this season will exercise voting rights.
Since last year, the KBO moved the voting period forward from after the Korea Series to the playoff period. The intent is to evaluate only regular-season performance so that postseason results or impressive postseason moments do not affect the vote.
The final winners will be announced at the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Golden Glove awards ceremony to be held Dec. 8, 2026, at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul.
With Yang Eui-ji and Kang Min-ho absent from the catcher category, a new owner of the golden glove awaits. Attention is on whether Heo In-seo, buoyed by 20 home runs, can claim that spot over strong competitors.
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