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McGonigle and Stewart win US baseball rookie awards

Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart won the rookie awards in US professional baseball, leading the American League and National League votes respectively. Detroit’s McGonigle received 28 first-place votes, while Cincinnati’s Stewart received 20. The ballots were submitted before postseason play, with two writers from each city taking part in the selection.

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A wide view across a baseball field in Detroit shows Kevin McGonigle moving to field a rolling ball in the infield.

McGonigle leads the American League vote

Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers and Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds won the 2026 rookie awards in Major League Baseball, the top professional baseball competition in the United States. McGonigle led the American League ballot and Stewart the National League ballot. The awards recognise the players separately in the competition’s two leagues. The voting totals were published on 10 November after the winners were announced the previous evening.[1], [2]

McGonigle received 28 first-place votes and two second-place votes for 204 points. Cleveland Guardians player Parker Messick was second with 122 points, collecting the other two first-place votes along with 25 seconds, two thirds and one fourth. Boston Red Sox player Payton Tolle finished third with 54 points. Chicago White Sox player Munetaka Murakami followed with 39 and Kansas City Royals player Carter Jensen with 31.[1]

Stewart takes 20 first-place votes

Stewart won the National League award with 170 points. His support comprised 20 firsts, five seconds, one third, three fourths and one fifth. New York Mets player Carson Benge was runner-up with 107 points and seven first-place votes. St. Louis Cardinals player JJ Wetherholt took the remaining three first-place votes and finished on 99 points. Mets player Nolan McLean received 70, Colorado Rockies player TJ Rumfield 49 and Milwaukee Brewers player Logan Henderson ten.[1]

Writers voted before postseason play

Two writers from each city voted, submitting their ballots before postseason games began. A first-place choice was worth seven points, followed by four for second, three for third, two for fourth and one for fifth. Further down the American League list, Chase DeLauter had 23 points, Kazuma Okamoto 17 and Tristan Peters 12. Walbert Urena, Sam Antonacci and Travis Bazzana received two apiece; Henry Bolte and Dylan Beavers had one each. In the National League, Bryce Eldridge and Didier Fuentes each received two points, while AJ Ewing had one.[1]

References

  1. News sourceMLBMcGonigle and Stewart win MLB rookie awards↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceCBS SportsMcGonigle and Stewart win MLB rookie awards↩

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