Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle
wins AL Rookie of the Year, Reds slugger Sal Stewart takes NL honor
[November 10, 2026]
By DAVID BRANDT
It took the Detroit Tigers less than a month of watching Kevin
McGonigle at the big-league level to decide he was worthy of a
nine-figure contract.
Seven months later, McGonigle rewarded that confidence by becoming
the runaway winner of the American League Rookie of the Year award
Monday night. Cincinnati Reds slugger Sal Stewart — another
precocious hitter — took home the National League honor after
anchoring the middle of the team's lineup all season.
McGonigle played most of the season at just 21 years old and had a
.278 batting average and .806 OPS with 18 homers, 72 RBIs, 28
doubles and 12 stolen bases while splitting time between shortstop
and third base. He's the first Tigers player to win the award since
pitcher Michael Fulmer in 2016 and the first Detroit infielder since
Lou Whitaker in 1978.
McGonigle's most remarkable trait might have been his consistency,
providing steady production over the long MLB season.
“I'm trying to play my part and trying to help this team as much as
I can and that's what drives me every day,” McGonigle said. “On the
days you're tired, the days you need to rest, you've got to go out,
lace the cleats up and go out for the guys in the clubhouse and this
organization.”
The Tigers thought enough of McGonigle's potential that they signed
him to a $150 million, eight-year deal in April, just a few weeks
into his rookie season. He responded with a stellar all-around
season that earned him an All-Star nod and helped the Tigers remain
in the playoff race for much of the summer.
Stewart, 22, was a force for the Reds with 32 homers and 112 RBIs
while playing in all 162 games, including 161 starts. He’s the ninth
Cincinnati player to win the award and first since infielder
Jonathan India in 2021. He was the first NL first baseman to take
top rookie honors since Pete Alonso with the New York Mets in 2019.
Much like McGonigle, two of Stewart's best qualities were
consistency and availability. The 6-foot-1, 224-pound first baseman
was a first-round draft pick in 2022 after getting selected out of a
Miami high school and said playing all 162 games was his favorite
accomplishment this season.
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Detroit Tigers' Kevin McGonigle runs out a double against the
Washington Nationals during the third inning of a baseball game,
Sept. 23, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
“The people around my corner, they understand how
hard that is, how difficult that is,” Stewart told reporters. “Being
available for your teammates every single day — that’s something
that kind of goes unnoticed at times. But I know my teammates always
appreciate that, and I want them to know I’m always there for them.”
McGonigle received 28 of 30 first-place votes and finished with 204
points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America
conducted before the postseason. The other two AL finalists were
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick and Boston Red Sox
lefty Payton Tolle.
Messick came in second, earning two first-place votes and 122 points
after going 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA and 193 strikeouts. He is also a
finalist for the AL Cy Young Award to be announced Wednesday.
Tolle was third with 54 points. He had a 9-6 record with a 3.03 ERA
and 171 strikeouts.
Stewart was selected first on 20 of 30 ballots and finished with 170
points. The other NL finalists were New York Mets outfielder Carson
Benge and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt.
Benge finished second with seven first-place votes and 107 points
after hitting 20 homers and stealing 22 bases as a bright spot in a
down year for the Mets.
Wetherholt hit .242 with 17 homers while playing excellent defense.
He finished third with three first-place votes and 99 points.
By winning Rookie of the Year, McGonigle and Stewart each earned his
team an extra pick after the first round of the 2027 amateur draft.
AL and NL Manager of the Year awards will be announced Tuesday.
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