The Detroit Tigers now have their sixth American League Rookie of the Year in the franchise’s 126-year history.
The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) announced on Monday evening that its members have voted Detroit infielder Kevin McGonigle the A.L.'s top rookie. He received 204 points, including 28 out of 30 first-place votes.
McGonigle beat out shortlisted pitchers Parker Messick of the Cleveland Guardians, who had 122 points and two first-place votes, and Payton Tolle of the Boston Red Sox, with 54 points.
He was recognized for a .278 batting average, 18 home runs, and 168 hits in 2026. McGonigle also drove in 72 runs and stole 12 bases.
The 22-year-old has already won Baseball America's Rookie of the Year Award and has been voted the same by the players in the Sporting News' version.
McGonigle was a bright spot in what had been a disappointing year for Detroit. The Tigers were expected to contend for the American League Central Division crown and reach the playoffs for the third year in a row. However, injuries to key players and others underperforming reduced the Tigers to a 76-86 record, nine games behind the champion Guardians.
The five Tigers who have won this award before McGonigle include infielder Harvey Kuenn in 1953, pitcher Mark Fidrych in 1976, second baseman Lou Whitaker in 1978, pitcher Justin Verlander in 2005, and pitcher Michael Fulmer in 2016.
Infielder Kazuma Okamoto was the Toronto Blue Jays' top vote-getter for Rookie of the Year, finishing seventh with 17 points, including one vote for third place.
In the National League, the BBWAA named infielder Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds as the top rookie. Stewart beat out finalists Carson Benge of the New York Mets and J.J. Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals.
