Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds and Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers won the 2026 Rookie of the Year awards on Monday, November 9, 2026, as announced by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Sal Stewart Claims National League Honor
Stewart took home the National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award after receiving 20 first-place votes. He appeared in all 162 games for the Reds, hitting .263/.330/.457 with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. He was the only player in the National League to land in the top five on every ballot.
The six-foot-one, 224-pound first baseman was selected out of a Miami high school in the first round as the 32nd overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He became the ninth Cincinnati player to win the award and the first since infielder Jonathan India in 2021. Previous franchise winners include Frank Robinson in 1956, Pete Rose in 1963, Tommy Helms in 1966, Johnny Bench in 1968, Pat Zachry in 1976, Chris Sabo in 1988, and Scott Williamson in 1999.
Respect. 🤝 2026 AL & NL Rookies of the Year Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart share their mutual admiration for each other’s game. @tigers // @Reds pic.twitter.com/RbJf188aMN
Stewart is also the ninth first baseman honored in National League voting, joining Jackie Robinson in 1947, Orlando Cepeda in 1958, Willie McCovey in 1959, Jeff Bagwell in 1991, Eric Karros in 1992, Ryan Howard in 2005, Cody Bellinger in 2017, and Pete Alonso in 2019. He is the fifth Reds player to achieve the feat during an All-Star season, joining Bench and Robinson.
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge finished second in the voting with seven first-place votes and 107 total points, while St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt placed third with three first-place votes and 99 points. Mets teammate Nolan McLean finished fourth with 70 points, and TJ Rumfield of the Rockies finished fifth with 49 points.
“I’m fortunate to have people like Manny” 👏 2026 NL Rookie of the Year Sal Stewart credits Manny Machado as one of the reasons for his success 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HHUgKY4XoD
Reflecting on his durability, Stewart noted that playing all 162 games was his favorite accomplishment of the season.
“The people around my corner, they understand how hard that is, how difficult that is,” Stewart told reporters.
Sal Stewart wrote "ROY" on a sticky note during Spring Training and put it up on his door. That way, he could look at it every morning and night as motivation. He hit 32 home runs during the 2026 season, something a Reds rookie hadn't done since Frank Robinson in 1956. Stewart… pic.twitter.com/y64Iy2u6OA
Kevin McGonigle Dominates American League Balloting
In the American League, Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle secured 28 of 30 first-place votes to win the award, finishing with 204 points. McGonigle batted .278 with an .806 OPS, 18 home runs, 72 RBIs, 28 doubles, five triples, 12 stolen bases, 97 runs, and 95 walks while splitting time between shortstop and third base. Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick finished second, and Boston Red Sox lefty Payton Tolle placed third.
Michael Fulmer in 2016 was the last Tiger to claim the AL Rookie of the Year prior to McGonigle, who joined a group of six franchise recipients. He also became the first Detroit infielder to win the honor since Lou Whitaker in 1978. Growing up near Philadelphia, McGonigle idolized Chase Utley and tried to mold his game after the former Phillies great.
“What makes me most proud [is] all the work I put in just to get to this point where I'm at today,” McGonigle said Monday night on a conference call with reporters.
McGonigle led all American League players with 707 plate appearances, joining Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart as the first Major League rookies to top 700 plate appearances since Hanley Ramirez in 2006. He was the first to do it in his age-21 season or younger since Joe Morgan in 1965.
Broadcaster Adam Amin called the 2026 Rookie of the Year winners back in April … Sal Stewart mashed a 3-run homer on the very next pitch 😤 pic.twitter.com/k4RSlhNSYL
Ted Williams in 1939 was the previous rookie to reach thresholds of at least 97 runs, 28 doubles, 18 home runs, 72 RBIs, and 95 walks before McGonigle matched the feat. He finished second in the AL with 6.0 offensive bWAR and sixth with 1.9 defensive bWAR, while his overall bWAR reached 7.1 to lead all AL position players.
Draft Picks Secured Through Prospect Promotion Incentive
Because both McGonigle and Stewart accumulated a full year of service time after making their respective Opening Day rosters, the Tigers and Reds will each receive a supplemental first-round pick in the 2027 MLB Draft under the Prospect Promotion Incentive program. Cleveland also earned a PPI pick after Parker Messick finished in the top three of AL Cy Young voting.