Kevin McGonigle leads AL Rookie of the Year race as June progresses

As mid-June approaches, the competition for the 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year awards is intensifying. In the American League, Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers has established a clear lead, buoyed by impressive metrics including a 2.7 fWAR. Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox, although sidelined by a hamstring strain, leads all rookies in home runs. In the National League, JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals and Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds are locked in a tight contest, each displaying distinct strengths. The emergence of dark horse candidates like Samuel Basallo in the AL and Carson Benge in the NL signals that the ultimate outcome remains uncertain as the season progresses.

• 4:28 PMYahoo Sports — 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year Update: Frontrunners and Dark Horses Charging Into the Summer