Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart was named the National League Rookie of the Year, and Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle won the award in the American League on Monday, a crowning achievement for two young stars who shined in different ways.
McGonigle, a hard-nosed, Pennsylvania-raised left-handed hitter who excelled at plate discipline and avoided the prolonged slumps of a typical rookie season, received 28 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Stewart, a brash, gifted slugger who was among the game's best at driving in runs, garnered 20 of 30 first-place votes in the NL.
New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge (seven) and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (three) got the rest of the NL first-place votes. Cleveland Guardians starter Parker Messick (two) received the remaining AL first-place votes. Boston Red Sox starter Payton Tolle, the third Rookie of the Year finalist in the AL, got 12 third-place votes.
McGonigle brought uncommon consistency and discipline for a 22-year-old who is only three years removed from high school, leading the AL with 7.1 Baseball-Reference wins above replacement and finishing fifth in the league in walks and hits. McGonigle became the first rookie to finish within the top five in both categories since Ted Williams in 1939, according to ESPN Insights.
The 2026 Tigers fell well short of expectations and were ultimately forced to trade star pitcher Tarik Skubal, a pending free agent, at midseason, but McGonigle, who signed an eight-year, $150 million extension midway through his first month, was a reminder of the young position player talent rising through the organization. While splitting time between shortstop and third base, McGonigle slashed .278/.376/.430 with 18 home runs, 12 stolen bases and almost as many walks (95) as strikeouts (100). His 97 runs scored led all rookies, and his 168 hits were tied with Benge for the lead among first-year players.
"Believing in myself and always seeing myself where I'm at today is what makes me most proud," McGonigle said on a conference call. "All the work I've put in, just to get to the point of where I'm at today."
Stewart, 22, brought premium power production to a short-handed Reds lineup, accumulating 32 home runs and 112 RBIs while putting together the first season of at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs for a Reds rookie.
A first-round pick out of high school in Miami in 2022, Stewart slashed .263/.330/.457 despite struggling in September and also added 15 stolen bases. He became just the fifth rookie to put up at least 100 RBIs and 15 stolen bases, according to ESPN Insights, joining Carlos Beltran (1999), Jose Canseco (1986), Tony Lazzeri (1926) and Al Simmons (1924).
His greatest source of pride, though, came from playing in all 162 games.
"The people around my corner, they understand how hard that is, how difficult that is," Stewart said. "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 and Stewart celebrated their achievement in their respective hometowns, with watch parties consisting of roughly 70 friends and family members.
They were the headliners of what proved to be a standout rookie class.
It also featured Messick, who went 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA in 32 starts for the Guardians. Tolle, the affable, mustachioed left-hander who put up a 3.03 ERA and struck out 171 batters in 148⅔ innings. Benge, who batted .282 while becoming the first Mets rookie to put up a 20/20 season. And Wetherholt, who combined elite defense with 17 homers and 14 steals. Munetaka Murakami, Carter Jensen, Chase DeLauter, TJ Rumfield, Logan Henderson and Nolan McLean also stood out, among several others.
Someday, they might help make up the new faces of the sport.
