Other than Pete Crow-Armstrong out in Chicago, you'd be hard-pressed to argue that another center fielder can compete with Ceddanne Rafaela defensively. One of the Boston Red Sox's two reigning Gold Glove outfielders, Rafaela proved without a doubt last season that he's the long-term starter in center for this team.
He ranked tied for third among all MLB players with 21 Outs Above Average in 2025 and second for outfielders behind PCA. It was an impressive display that firmly established Rafaela's among the league's defensive elite.
However, his competition could grow this upcoming season. The Cleveland Guardians are experimenting with moving Steven Kwan, the American League's reigning four-time Gold Glove winner in left field, to center for the 2026 campaign.
Is Kwan a good enough defender to pose a serious threat to Rafaela's impending dynasty?
New development: Steven Kwan will play some center field this spring, as the Guardians try to sort out their best outfield alignment. Kwan has won four Gold Glove awards in four seasons in left field.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) February 19, 2026
Ceddanne Rafaela will be favorite to repeat Gold Glove honor no matter who contests him
Before digging into his stats, it's worth bearing in mind that left field is naturally less range-intensive that center field. So, even in the face of +5 Outs Above Average, Kwan still resoundingly won his Gold Glove behind +12 Fielding Run Value and a whopping +22 Defensive Runs Saved.
That DRS total barely eclipsed Rafaela's mark (+20), a sign of the caliber of defender that Kwan is. Still, he has yet to show that he can handle center on a full-time basis, something the Red Sox's star has already proven resoundingly.
It's also worthing pointing out that Rafaela was inanely used at second base for 165 innings last year, which cost him some time (and production) in center field. Hopefully, the Red Sox's acquisition of Caleb Durbin will plug the hole in the infield and allow Rafaela to focus exclusively on his best position in the upcoming regular season.
As it stands, he was already the only outfielder in 2025 to exceed +20 in each of OAA, DRS, and FRV. No matter who tries to compete with him for the 2026 center field Gold Glove, he'll be the well-deserved favorite.
Of course, one could choose to try and read between the lines with Kwan's potential positions change. Good left field defenders are valuable, but not at the same level as center fielders. Ian Happ of the Cubs has also won four consecutive Gold Gloves at the position as Kwan's counterpart in the National League, suggesting that the competition in the outfield corners isn't quite as fierce as in center.
The Guardians have done nothing to quell trade rumors surrounding Kwan, and he'd be even more attractive as a trade chip if his glove translates to the most important position on the grass. A trade to the NL — or the admittance of a failed experiment — would take Cleveland's outfielder out of the running.
But even if Kwan gets a full season to show his chops in center field, he'll have one tall task trying to outperform Rafaela.