The MLB season is winding down, with only a handful of games left before the playoffs. For many rookies, it’s a bittersweet moment knowing the sport faces a long winter. A select few not only got their start on opening day, but made a major impact right out of the gate and through the long haul, making their case for Rookie of the Year.
It’s a bit of a shame that there isn’t really a nail-biting contest in either the National League or American League this year for the award, but the game saw some big names emerge early. From Munetaka Murakami slugging 30+ home runs in his first MLB campaign to top prospect Josue De Paula making his hyped major-league debut, it was an exciting 2026 season even up until the end. The favorites for the coveted Rookie Of The Year award, however, are clear-cut and arguably made the biggest impact on their respective teams.
American League Rookie Of The Year: Kevin McGonigle Leads Detroit Tigers Through Trying Year
Kevin McGonigle entered 2026 as the number two prospect in baseball, just behind Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konor Griffin.
As of Sept. 15, not only did McGonigle play in most games for the Detroit Tigers, but he actually leads the AL in WAR and holds a .273/.373/.798 slash line. He emerged as a focal point of the Tigers’ offense alongside Dillon Dingler and Riley Greene, leading the team in stolen bases and OBP.
What sets McGonigle apart from guys like Murakami and Chase DeLauter is that he is arguably the best well-rounded player of this class. That also extends to fielding, where he saved eight defensive runs this year and had a range of 10 runs above average. Sure, he had 17 errors at shortstop and third base combined, but if he could get that number below 10, he would be in serious consideration for a Gold Glove award.
No hitter comes as close to a complete profile, and the closest rookie offensively is Travis Bazzana, the Cleveland Guardians’ second baseman. Even with Bazzana hitting a strong .739 OPS and stealing 19 bases, McGonigle outshines him in most categories, especially his a 1:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio. It’s hard to get a perfect 1:1 ratio in that category, let alone for a rookie, and it’s even harder to have nearly two hits to one strikeout. McGonigle is poised to be a force for the Tigers’ lineup going forward.
McGonigle is the team’s biggest star, after trading away left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal. The question is how the team will build around its presumptive Rookie-Of-The-Year winner.
National League Rookie Of The Year: Sal Stewart’s Power Propels Him To Top Of The Field
Sal Stewart showed flashes of what he could become at the end of the 2025 regular season and during the Wild Card series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Finally, with a full season under his belt, it’s safe to say his start wasn’t just a lucky stretch or a fluke; he might be the spark the Cincinnati Reds have been looking for.
The 22-year-old first and third baseman clubbed 31 home runs and 107 RBIs (the second-highest RBI total in the National League behind Alec Burelson) along with 25 doubles and 15 stolen bases. Once again, this is a case of the presumptive winner being an all-around multi-tool hitter, though he has more strikeouts than the aforementioned McGonigle. Fewer walks and more strikeouts led to a .337 on-base percentage, but his .473 slugging percentage boosted his OPS to .810.
Unlike McGonigle, Stewart plays second fiddle to Elly De La Cruz in terms of production in the lineup. Despite having more RBIs and home runs, De La Cruz has a slightly better walk rate and more speed than Stewart. That creates interesting potential for Stewart to be the second batter in the lineup going forward, or a cleanup hitter if the Reds opt for De La Cruz in that slot.
The National League race is closer than the American League, though, with JJ Wetherholt making a strong effort for the St. Louis Cardinals despite injuries that ended his season a bit prematurely. He is also a strong multi-tool player, with 17 home runs and 14 steals on 15 attempts, but his 48 RBIs pale in comparison to other rookies. He could be an All-Star going forward, but he needs to hit doubles and home runs to raise his RBI total.
The Reds have long looked for someone to complement De La Cruz and provide steady power since the departure of Eugenio Suarez.
