Tigers’ infielder Kevin McGonigle wins AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year
BBWAA • • sports
Key Points:
- Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers won the 2026 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award, receiving 28 out of 30 first-place votes.
- McGonigle played nearly equal time at shortstop and third base, a rare feat only previously matched by Yankees’ Tony Kubek in 1957.
- This marks the sixth time a Tigers player has won the award, joining past winners like Harvey Kuenn and Justin Verlander.
- Parker Messick of the Cleveland Guardians finished as runner-up, continuing a trend of Guardians players placing highly since their last winner in 1990.
- Payton Tolle of the Boston Red Sox secured third place, following Roman Anthony who was third in the previous year.
