Tigers Infielder McGonigle Claims AL Rookie Award; Stewart Takes NL Honor
McGonigle secured the American League prize with 28 first-place votes, while Cincinnati slugger Sal Stewart led the National League ballot.
By Vikram Harrison ·
Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers and Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds received the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year awards on Monday night. The honors were determined by balloting from the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
McGonigle, 21, finished his rookie campaign with a .278 batting average and an .806 on-base plus slugging percentage. He recorded 18 home runs, 72 runs batted in, 28 doubles, and 12 stolen bases while splitting time at third base and shortstop.
The award marks a milestone for the Tigers franchise. McGonigle is the first player from Detroit to receive the honor since pitcher Michael Fulmer in 2016. He is also the first Tigers infielder to win since Lou Whitaker in 1978.
The team signed McGonigle to an eight-year contract worth $150 million in April. That agreement came just weeks into his first full season. McGonigle also earned an All-Star selection during the year.
In the voting, McGonigle received 28 of the 30 first-place votes. He accumulated 204 total points. Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick placed second with 122 points. Messick posted a 2.56 earned average and 193 strikeouts while going 12-9 on the season.
Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle finished third in the American League with 54 points. Tolle recorded a 3.03 earned average and 171 strikeouts with a 9-6 record.
Stewart dominated the National League ballot, appearing on the first-place line of 20 of 30 ballots. He finished with 170 points. Stewart played in all 162 games for the Reds, starting 161. He hit 32 home runs and drove in 112 runs. New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge finished second with 107 points, and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt took third with 99 points.
