Tigers' McGonigle and Reds' Stewart Win Rookie Awards

The winners of the 2026 Rookie of the Year awards have been announced by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). Kevin McGonigle of the Tigers and Sal Stewart of the Reds took home the honors in their respective leagues.

McGonigle earned a landslide victory with 28 out of 30 first-place votes, beating out Parker Messick from the Guardians and Payton Tolle from the Red Sox. Meanwhile, Stewart secured his award by defeating Carson Benge from the Mets and JJ Wetherholt from the Cardinals.

The annual BBWAA awards recognize outstanding performance in various categories, including Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Reliever of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP. The voting process involves 30 members of the BBWAA, with two representatives from each MLB city in both leagues. Their votes were submitted before the start of the playoffs, ensuring that only regular-season contributions were considered.

Sal Stewart's selection as Rookie of the Year is notable for his impressive stats, despite a relatively modest 2.0 WAR. He achieved an unprecedented feat by hitting 32 home runs and recording 111 RBI in his rookie season, putting him among the elite group of rookies with at least 30 homers and 100 RBI.

The Tigers and Reds will each receive a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick in the 2027 MLB Draft due to McGonigle and Stewart's service time. Both players were part of their respective teams' major-league roster for long enough to qualify for this incentive, which recognizes their contributions to their teams' success.

Kevin McGonigle's impressive performance has earned him the 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year award from the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). The Tigers' standout player hit a remarkable .263/.330/.457 with 25 doubles and 32 home runs in all 162 games.

Sal Stewart's impressive stats also caught the attention of voters, as he earned 20 of the 30 available first-place votes. His strong performance was not limited to his hitting, as he demonstrated speed on the basepaths with 15 steals.

The Reds' Sal Stewart wasn't the only contender for the award. Carson Benge of the Mets and JJ Wetherholt of the Cardinals also received significant recognition from voters. Benge hit .282/.346/.430 with 20 home runs and 22 steals, while Wetherholt impressed with his defensive skills, earning a 4.5 WAR in 139 games.

Stewart's Rookie of the Year honor makes him the latest Reds player to receive this prestigious award. He joins an elite group of players who have won the award representing the team.

McGonigle's impressive stats, including a .278 batting average and 7.1 WAR, made him a clear standout in his first season at the major league level. His well-rounded performance, including strong defense and base running, solidified his position as one of the top rookies in the league.

Kevin McGonigle's impressive rookie season has earned him the 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year award. He secured the top spot with a landslide victory, receiving an overwhelming 28 out of 30 first-place votes and accumulating a total of 204 points from the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).

McGonigle's extension deal, agreed upon just weeks after his debut, is a testament to his talent and the team's confidence in him. This prestigious award marks another milestone for McGonigle, joining an elite group of players who have won the honor while playing for the Tigers. His impressive rookie campaign has solidified his position as one of the league's top rookies.