SEASIDE, Calif. – Cal State Monterey Bay senior catcher Conner Smith became the first player in program history to earn a Division II Rawlings Gold Glove Award, as announced by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).
 
Presented annually by Rawlings and selected by the ABCA All-America Committee, the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards recognize the top defensive player at each position across NCAA Division II.
 
Smith is the first Otter baseball player to receive the national honor and the first selection from the CCAA since 2023.
 
"Conner made a huge impact on our program with his calm presence, his overall leadership and his outstanding defensive abilities behind the plate," CCAA Coach of the Year Walt White said. "He provided a reliable, steady presence that showed up every single weekend. We couldn't be more proud of Conner, and I couldn't imagine a more deserving person for this honor."
 
The 6-foot-4 catcher anchored both the Otters' defense and the middle of the lineup, helping lead CSUMB to its fifth consecutive CCAA regular-season championship and seventh straight NCAA postseason appearance.
 
A senior transfer from Santa Clara, Smith was flawless defensively, committing no errors in 365 total chances. The Rocklin native threw out 18 attempted base stealers while also showcasing his arm with several pickoffs on snap throws to first base.
 
At the plate, Smith batted .331 with nine home runs, 45 RBI, 40 runs scored and a .973 OPS. He also collected eight doubles while leading the CCAA with seven sacrifice flies and ranking fifth in the conference with 31 walks. Smith appeared in 53 games, also finding time in the outfield. The Otters finished the 2026 season with a 37-18 overall record, capturing their fifth consecutive CCAA regular-season title and earning their seventh straight NCAA postseason berth.

Smith was joined on the ABCA West Region All-Defensive Team by Cal State San Bernardino's Garret Barto (1B), Cal State East Bay's Alijah Ramos (SS), and his teammate Andrew Lehmann (2B).  Click here to see the complete 2026 ABCA NCAA Div. II West Region All-Defensive Team