McGonigle, Stewart Take Rookie Awards

Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart collected the American and National League Rookie of the Year awards on Monday night. The honors recognize the top performers in their first major league seasons.

McGonigle, 21, posted a .278 batting average and a .806 OPS for the Detroit Tigers. He recorded 18 home runs, 72 RBIs, 28 doubles, and 12 stolen bases. He split time between shortstop and third base. The Tigers signed him to an eight-year, $150 million contract in April. That deal came weeks into his debut season. He is the first Tigers player to win this award since Michael Fulmer in 2016.

McGonigle cited team contribution as his primary motivation. "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," he said. He added that playing through fatigue was necessary for the clubhouse. He received 28 of 30 first-place votes and 204 points in the Baseball Writers' Association of America balloting.

Sal Stewart, 22, earned the National League honor for the Cincinnati Reds. The 6-foot-1, 224-pound first baseman hit 32 home runs and drove in 112 runs. He appeared in all 162 games, including 161 starts. Stewart is the first NL first baseman to win the award since Pete Alonso in 2019. He is the first Cincinnati player to receive the honor since Jonathan India in 2021.

Stewart selected 20 of 30 first-place ballots and finished with 170 points. Carson Benge of the New York Mets placed second with 107 points. Benge hit 20 home runs and stole 22 bases. JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals finished third with 99 points.

In the American League, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick finished second. He went 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA and 193 strikeouts. Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle placed third with 54 points. Tolle finished with a 9-6 record and a 3.03 ERA.