Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle sweeps AL Rookie honors with 28 first-place votes
The 21-year-old shortstop earned a $150 million contract in April and followed it with a .278 average and 72 RBIs.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
Kevin McGonigle received 28 of the 30 possible first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
The Detroit Tigers infielder won the American League Rookie of the Year award on Monday night. He accumulated 204 points in the balloting. Cincinnati Reds slugger Sal Stewart won the National League award with 170 points.
McGonigle was 21 for most of the season. He batted .278 with an .806 on-base plus slugging percentage. He hit 18 home runs and drove in 72 runs. He also recorded 28 doubles and stole 12 bases. He split his time between shortstop and third base. The Tigers signed him to an eight-year, $150 million contract in April. That was just weeks into his rookie campaign.
Stewart, who is 22, played in all 162 games for the Reds. He hit 32 home runs and had 112 runs batted in. He is the first first baseman to win the National League award since Pete Alonso in 2019. He is also the first Cincinnati player to win since Jonathan India in 2021.
McGonigle cited his desire to help the team as his main motivation. He said he tries to play his part and help the organization as much as possible. He noted that on tired days, he still laces up his cleats to play for the guys in the clubhouse. He also earned an All-Star nod during the summer.
Parker Messick of the Cleveland Guardians finished second in the American League with 122 points. He went 12-9 with a 2.56 earned run average and 193 strikeouts. Payton Tolle of the Boston Red Sox placed third with 54 points. He had a 9-6 record and a 3.03 earned run average.
In the National League, Carson Benge of the New York Mets finished second with 107 points. He hit 20 home runs and stole 22 bases. JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals came in third with 99 points. He batted .242 with 17 home runs.
