Bob Baxton and Jimmy Merling are the 2016 Duluth-Superior Dukes Gold Glove Award recipients for their defensive play. Baxton, a right fielder with range and a strong arm, ended up learning the first base position in the waning weeks of the season due to a throwing-arm injury sustained in a collision as a base-runner. His tall frame, fielding abilities (he was a third baseman in the past), and flexibility proved to match the position perfectly. Merling, a center fielder with range and a strong arm, again proved his mettle with the glove, by running down fly balls in the gaps and by making diving catches. As was said about Shoeless Joe Jackson, his glove is "where tripes go to die."

Both players logged perfect 1.000 fielding percentages in 2016. Baxton had 50 put outs and three assists. Merling had 26 put outs and three assists.