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Kyle DeBarge of Cedar Rapids Kernels wins a minor league Gold Glove
He’s one of nine in all of Minor League Baseball to receive the award for exceptional defensive play in 2025 season
Nov. 3, 2025 4:32 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Kernels have been pretty good defensively on the infield in recent baseball seasons.
There’s tangible proof of it.
Kyle DeBarge is one of nine players to be awarded a 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove in the minor leagues, it has been announced. His is for second base.
DeBarge is the second Kernels player in the last three years to receive a minor league Gold Glove. Shortstop Noah Miller was awarded one for the 2023 season.
Gold Gloves are given to the player deemed the best defensively at his position among the 11 full-season minor leagues: one each for pitcher, catcher, shortstop, first base, second base and third base, and three for the outfield.
DeBarge, a first-round sandwich pick of the parent Minnesota Twins in 2024 out of the University of Louisiana, handled 289 total chances and had a hand in 31 double plays in 73 games. A catcher in high school and shortstop in college, he posted a .979 fielding percentage this past season.
“Really cool honor for him to be recognized across all of minor league baseball,” Kernels Manager Brian Meyer said. “Every day during pre-game training, Kyle attacked his routine and took a ton of pride in his defensive work.
“The results showed during the course of the season, as he got better and better over there, all while playing other positions as well. He became as sure handed as they get. Where if he got his glove to it, the runner was making a right turn back to the dugout.”
As Meyer mentioned, DeBarged player other positions this past season: 24 games at shortstop, four in left field and 17 in center field. He hit .237 in 121 games for the Kernels, with eight home runs, 65 RBIs and 66 stolen bases.
The other minor league Gold Glove winners for the 2025 season are first baseman Tre’ Morgan (Tampa Bay/Class Triple-A), third baseman Pedro Ramirez (Chicago Cubs/Double-A and MLB), shortstop Konnor Griffin (Pittsburgh/A, High-A and Double-A), catcher Leonardo Bernal (St. Louis/Double-A), pitcher Robby Snelling (Miami/Double-A and Triple-A) and outfielders Luis Lara (Milwaukee/Double-A), Druw Jones (Arizona/High-A) and Homer Bush Jr. (Tampa Bay/Double-A).
Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
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