Kevin McGonigle wins AL Rookie of the Month
Who else could it be?
Apr 22, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Kevin McGonigle (7) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images No surprise here, as the Detroit Tigers’ rookie phenom was a candidate for league MVP in March and April. He is second place to Aaron Judge in the American League in Baseball Reference’s rWAR with 2.
1 wins above replacement and currently tracking toward a potential 9 WAR season in his major league debut. He’s made it look so easy that we’re already acclimated to quiet games where he goes 1 for 3 with an RBI and a walk as just his baseline day at the park. The Reds’ Sal Stewart is a heck of a young hitter as well, and he took home the award in the National League.
McGonigle is currently hitting . 315/. 407/.
477 for a 149 wRC+ and unlike just about all the names above him on various offensive leaderboards, he’s playing a sound shortstop day in and day out rather than bat first positions like corner outfield or first base. He holds a 12. 7 percent strikeout rate and a 12.