Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle dominates American League voting, while Cincinnati Reds slugger Sal Stewart earns the National League award after hitting 32 home runs and driving in 112 runs.
Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle and Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart have been named Major League Baseball’s 2026 Rookies of the Year. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced the winners Monday, November 9, recognizing two young players who made immediate impacts during their first full major league seasons.
McGonigle won the American League award with 28 of 30 first-place votes, finishing comfortably ahead of Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick. Stewart received 20 first-place votes to win the National League award, defeating New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge and St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt.
Both winners were selected to the All-Star Game during their rookie seasons. Their performances also earned additional recognition for their organizations, which will receive valuable draft selections under MLB’s Prospect Promotion Incentive program.
McGonigle Dominates American League Voting
McGonigle, 21, established himself as one of Detroit’s most important players during a remarkable debut season. He appeared in 156 games and finished with a .278 batting average, 18 home runs, 72 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
His ability to reach base consistently helped separate him from other American League rookies. McGonigle recorded 95 walks and scored 97 runs while posting a .376 on-base percentage and an .806 OPS.
According to MLB.com, McGonigle led the American League with 707 plate appearances and finished with 7.1 wins above replacement, using Baseball-Reference’s measurement. That made him the first rookie since Mike Trout in 2012 to lead his league in that statistic.
McGonigle also demonstrated exceptional control of the strike zone. His 13.4 percent walk rate ranked among the best in baseball, while his ability to avoid chasing pitches outside the strike zone helped him maintain consistent production.
His defensive performance added another dimension to his season. McGonigle divided his playing time between shortstop and third base, recording 10 defensive runs saved across the two positions.
The BBWAA awarded McGonigle 204 points in the final voting. Messick finished second with 122 points after receiving the only two first-place votes that did not go to McGonigle.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle placed third with 54 points. Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami and Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen rounded out the top five.
McGonigle appeared on all 30 ballots, receiving 28 first-place selections and two second-place votes. His margin reflected widespread recognition of his offensive consistency, defensive versatility and value to the Tigers.
The young infielder became the sixth player in Detroit franchise history to win Rookie of the Year. He joined Harvey Kuenn, Mark Fidrych, Lou Whitaker, Justin Verlander and Michael Fulmer on the team’s list of previous winners.
McGonigle is also Detroit’s first position player to receive the award since Whitaker in 1978. Fulmer was the franchise’s most recent winner before McGonigle, earning the American League honor in 2016.
Detroit selected McGonigle with the 37th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. His rapid development through the minor leagues helped him reach the majors at an unusually young age.
The Tigers rewarded him with an eight-year, $150 million contract extension in April 2026. The agreement demonstrated the organization’s confidence in his ability to become a central part of its future.
After learning he had won, McGonigle thanked his teammates, coaches, family and supporters. He said he was grateful for the season and the opportunity to contribute to Detroit’s success.
Sal Stewart Wins National League Award With Power and Durability
Stewart, 22, earned his award through a combination of power hitting, run production and exceptional availability. The Cincinnati infielder played all 162 regular-season games while batting .263 with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs.
His home run total led National League rookies and placed him among baseball’s most productive young sluggers. Stewart also collected 164 hits, 25 doubles, 87 runs scored and 15 stolen bases.
His 112 RBIs ranked second among all National League players, behind Alec Burleson’s 116. Stewart became the first Cincinnati rookie to record at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in the same season.
The achievement placed him alongside several notable players in major league history. Only 14 rookies have produced a season with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, according to MLB.com.
Stewart also became the second Reds rookie to hit 30 or more home runs. The first was Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who won National League Rookie of the Year in 1956.
Like McGonigle, Stewart contributed at multiple defensive positions. He played primarily at first base but also appeared at third base and second base when Cincinnati needed additional flexibility.
His ability to remain in the lineup throughout the season strengthened his candidacy. Playing all 162 games allowed Stewart to provide consistent power and run production while other young players dealt with injuries or changing roles.
The final National League voting was competitive, although Stewart held a substantial lead. He received 170 points, compared with 107 for Benge and 99 for Wetherholt.
Benge collected seven first-place votes, while Wetherholt received three. Stewart appeared on every ballot, demonstrating broad support from the writers who evaluated the season.
The Mets outfielder finished his rookie campaign with a .282 batting average, 20 home runs and 22 stolen bases. His combination of offensive production and speed helped him emerge as Stewart’s closest competitor.
Wetherholt finished third after contributing at second base for St. Louis. Mets pitcher Nolan McLean placed fourth with 70 points, followed by Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield with 49.
Stewart became the ninth Cincinnati player to win Rookie of the Year. He is the franchise’s first winner since Jonathan India received the National League award in 2021.
Selected by Cincinnati with the 32nd overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Stewart developed into a productive major league hitter during his first complete season. His recognition adds another important achievement to a promising young career.
After the announcement, Stewart described his initial reaction as relief. He explained that he had worked toward the award but did not want his career to be defined by one individual honor.
Both Teams Earn Additional Draft Picks
The awards carry financial and developmental significance beyond the recognition given to the players. Detroit and Cincinnati will each receive an additional selection following the first round of the 2027 MLB Draft.
Those selections are part of MLB’s Prospect Promotion Incentive program. The system rewards organizations that bring eligible top prospects to the major leagues without delaying their promotions for service-time considerations.
For the Tigers and Reds, the additional picks provide opportunities to acquire more young talent. Both clubs now have another valuable selection to support their long-term roster development.
The Rookie of the Year awards also continue a tradition dating to 1947, when Jackie Robinson received the inaugural major league honor with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Separate American League and National League awards have been presented since 1949.
The award was renamed in Robinson’s honor in 1987. Winners are selected by eligible baseball writers, with ballots submitted before the postseason so that regular-season performance determines the results.
The 2026 announcements began MLB’s annual awards week. Manager of the Year, Cy Young and Most Valuable Player honors are scheduled to follow, recognizing outstanding performances from across both leagues.
For McGonigle and Stewart, the awards cap a season in which both established themselves as important young players. Their clubs also enter the offseason with an additional draft pick and greater confidence in two players expected to remain central to their plans.
IMAGE: Kevin McGonigle. Photo: D. Benjamin Miller / Wikimedia, taken 2026-05-13, CC0