Infielder Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers has been voted the American League Rookie of the Month for March/April, and first baseman Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds has been voted the National League Rookie of the Month for March/April. The announcements were made earlier today on MLB Network.
McGonigle is Detroit’s seventh rookie to win the award (eighth occurrence), joining teammate Colt Keith (July 2024); Eric Haase (July 2021); Brennan Boesch (May & June 2010); Austin Jackson (April 2010); Rick Porcello (May 2009); and Justin Verlander (May 2006). Stewart is the ninth player in Reds’ history to win the award, joining teammate Spencer Steer (May 2023); Jonathan India (July 2021); Aristides Aquino (August 2019); Billy Hamilton (June 2014); Todd Frazier (August 2012); Joey Votto (September 2008); Josh Hamilton (April 2007); and Austin Kearns (May 2002).
Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers (@kev.mcgonigle)
The 21-year-old hit .328 (38-for-116) with two homers, 13 RBI, 11 doubles, two triples, 19 walks compared to 17 strikeouts, 22 runs scored, two stolen bases, a .509 slugging percentage and a .426 on-base percentage in 31 games.
The Media, Pennsylvania native ranked first among qualified rookies in hits, extra-base hits, doubles and on-base percentage; tied for first in triples; ranked second in batting average, walks and runs scored; and fourth in slugging and OPS.
The infielder became one of seven players aged 21-or-younger in MLB history to record at least 38 hits and 19 walks in a month, joining Hall of Famer Al Kaline (2x: July 1955 & August 1956) as the only Tigers in history to accomplish the feat.
The lefty batter reached safely in 27 consecutive starts through March/April, marking the longest streak by a Tigers rookie since Dick Wakefield’s 29-start streak in 1943. The last 21-year-old or younger to have such a streak was Kaline, who reached safely in 34 straight starts in 1956.
McGonigle’s 32 hits in April set a new franchise record for a left-handed batter in that month, simultaneously becoming just the seventh player in franchise history to record the feat in any calendar month, and the first since Nick Castellanos did so in 2018.
Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds (@salstewartjr)
The 22-year-old hit .281 (32-for-114) with nine homers, 29 RBI, six doubles, 18 walks, 20 runs scored, seven stolen bases, a .570 slugging percentage and a .373 on-base percentage in 31 games.
The Miami, Florida native ranked first among qualified rookies in RBI and total bases; second in home runs, hits and OPS; third in walks; and fourth in batting average and runs scored.
The first-round selection in the 2022 Draft became the first in Reds’ franchise history to record 32 hits and 29 RBI in March/April. He also joined Hall of Famer Johnny Bench (July 1970) as the only Reds to reach those marks in a month while being aged 22-or-younger.
The Westminster High School product became just the fifth player aged 22-or-younger in Reds’ franchise history to record 65-or-more total bases in a month, joining Bench, Adam Dunn, Vada Pinson and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. Stewart also became the 12th player in MLB history aged 22-or-younger to record at least 65 total bases, nine homers and 29 RBI in a month.
Stewart’s 29 RBI through March and April set a new franchise record for a Reds hitter prior to May since the stat became official in 1920.
Others receiving votes for AL Rookie of the Month included first baseman Munetaka Murakami (.236, 12 HR, 23 RBI, 25 BB, 22 R, .564 SLG) of the Chicago White Sox; and starting pitcher Parker Messick (3-0, 1.73 ERA, 6 G, 36.1 IP, 22 H, 10 BB, 38 SO) of the Cleveland Guardians.
Others receiving votes for NL Rookie of the Month included designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros (.338, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 5 2B, 7 BB, 12 R, .620 SLG) of the Chicago Cubs; infielder Jose Fernandez (.325, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 3 2B, 3 BB, 18 R, .470 SLG) of the Arizona Diamondbacks; starting pitcher Nolan McLean (1-2, 2.55 ERA, 6 G, 35.1 IP, 20 H, 10 BB, 45 SO) of the New York Mets; and second baseman JJ Wetherholt (.256, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 5 2B, 17 BB, 27 R, .479 SLG) of the St. Louis Cardinals.