Tigers' McGonigle, Reds' Stewart win rookie of year awards - ESPN

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart was named the National League Rookie of the Year, and Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle won the award in the American League on Monday, a crowning achievement for two young stars who shined in very different ways.

McGonigle received 28 of the 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America, with Cleveland Guardians starter Parker Messick garnering the other two. White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami got two second-place votes, and Boston Red Sox starter Payton Tolle, the third finalist for AL Rookie of the Year, received 12 third-place votes.

Stewart received 20 of 30 first-place votes, with New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge netting seven and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt getting the other three.

McGonigle brought uncommon production and discipline for a 22-year-old who is only three years removed from being a first-round pick out of high school, ultimately leading the AL with 7.1 Baseball-Reference wins above replacement and finishing fifth in the league in walks and hits. McGonigle became the first rookie to finish within the top five in both categories since Ted Williams in 1939, according to ESPN Insights.

A hard-nosed, Pennsylvania-raised left-handed hitter who split his time between third base and shortstop this season, McGonigle slashed .278/.376/.430 with 18 home runs, 12 stolen bases and almost as many walks (95) as strikeouts (100). His 97 runs scored led all rookies, and his 168 hits were tied with Benge for the lead among first-year players.

Stewart, 22, brought premium power production for a short-handed Reds lineup, posting the first season of at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs for a Reds rookie. Stewart