DETROIT, Mich. — Kevin McGonigle, the Detroit Tigers infielder who split his first big league season between shortstop and third base, was named the 2026 American League Rookie of the Year on Monday, Nov. 9.
The 22-year-old drew 28 of the 30 first-place votes and finished with 204 points in balloting by baseball writers. Cleveland left-hander Parker Messick took the other two first-place votes and placed second with 122 points, and Boston’s Payton Tolle was third. Messick was the only other rookie to appear on every ballot.
McGonigle led Detroit in plate appearances with 707, hits with 168, runs with 97 and walks with 95. He logged 675 2/3 innings at shortstop over 96 games and 644 innings at third base over 94 games, and he also served as designated hitter five times.
Five Detroit players had claimed the rookie prize before him: Justin Verlander (2006), Michael Fulmer (2016), Lou Whitaker (1978), Mark Fidrych (1976) and Harvey Kuenn (1953).
Detroit picked McGonigle 37th overall out of high school in the 2023 draft. He made the All-Star team this season and signed an eight-year, $150 million contract that keeps him with the club through 2034.
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