Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle won the 2026 American League Rookie of the Year award, and Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart won the National League honor, the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Monday, Nov. 9.
McGonigle received 28 of 30 first-place votes; Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick received the other two, MLB.com reported. McGonigle led the AL with 707 plate appearances and posted an .806 OPS with 18 home runs, 72 RBIs and 12 steals. He also led all AL players with 7.1 Baseball-Reference WAR, the first rookie to lead his league in that statistic since Mike Trout in 2012. He is the sixth Tigers player to win the award and Detroit's first position-player winner since Lou Whitaker in 1978.
Stewart received 20 of 30 first-place votes, ahead of Mets outfielder Carson Benge (seven) and Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (three), CBS Sports reported. The 22-year-old played all 162 games and hit 32 home runs, the first NL rookie with 30 or more since Pete Alonso in 2019. Related: MLB awards week schedule.