The 55th Mitsui Golden Glove Awards were announced on the 11th, and Kenya Wakatsuki of the Orix Buffaloes was selected in the Pacific League catcher category. This is his third time winning the award and his second consecutive year. In his 13th professional season this year, he started in a team-high 101 games, recording a defense percentage of .995 (5 errors).

This marks the first time in franchise history that an Orix Buffaloes catcher has won the award three times individually and in two consecutive years. He became the fifth catcher in Pacific League history to win the award three or more times, following Tsutomu Ito of the Seibu Lions (11 times), Kenji Johjima of Daiei (7 times), Takuya Kai of the Softbank Hawks (4 times), and Masataka Nashida of Kintetsu (4 times).

Wakatsuki commented through the team, "I did not think I would be chosen again this year, so I am frankly surprised and filled with a sense of honor. I want to grow in all aspects and contribute to the team's win so that I can be seen as a player worthy of such a prestigious award."