The BBWAA’s awards season opened with a Central Division flavor, and the first hardware of the week went to Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart.
McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers was named the American League Rookie of the Year, while Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds won the National League version. Both races were decided with plenty of room to spare.
In the AL vote, McGonigle was the clear choice, collecting 28 of the 30 possible first-place votes. That gives Detroit its sixth Rookie of the Year winner and its first since 2016, when Michael Fulmer won the award.
McGonigle put together a .278/.376/.430 slash line with a .357 wOBA, 129 wRC+ and 18 home runs while splitting his time evenly between shortstop and third base. He also led all rookies with 5.4 fWAR, so the result never really looked in doubt.
Stewart’s path to the NL award was just as comfortable. He picked up 20 of the 30 first-place votes, and his win gives the Reds their ninth Rookie of the Year honoree.
The last Cincinnati player to take home the award before Stewart was Jonathan India in 2021. Stewart finished the season at .263/.330/.457 with a .339 wOBA, 112 wRC+ and 32 homers, leading all NL rookies in long balls.
Even so, it’s kind of shocking that JJ Wetherholt not only didn’t win it but he also finished third behind Carson Benge as well.
There was also a little bit of recognition for Atlanta’s Didier Fuentes. He received two fifth-place votes and finished eighth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, which at least reflects some appreciation for what he did on the mound this season: 58 appearances, 73.1 innings pitched, a 2.45 ERA (58 ERA-), and a 2.60 FIP (62 FIP-).
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