Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle was named the 2026 American League Rookie of the Year on Monday in a runaway victory over fellow finalists Parker Messick and Payton Tolle.
McGonigle earned 28 of 30 first-place votes from the BBWAA. Messick, who is also a finalist for the AL Cy Young, was the only other player to receive first-place votes.
| Player | Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin McGonigle | Tigers | 28 | 2 | x | 204 |
| 2 | Parker Messick | Guardians | 2 | 25 | 3 | 122 |
| 3 | Payton Tolle | Red Sox | x | x | 12 | 54 |
McGonigle slashed .278/.376/.430 with 18 homers, 72 RBIs, and 12 steals. His 7.1 bWAR led all AL players, and he also finished top 10 in his league in OBP, hits, and total bases while tallying just five more strikeouts (100) than walks (95). Defensively, he jumped between shortstop and third base and was a positive defender at both positions.
The 22-year-old is the first Tigers infielder to win AL Rookie of the Year since franchise icon Lou Whitaker in 1978. He's the sixth winner in franchise history.
