“Kevin McGonigle is the Rookie of the Year. I’m planting my flag.” Those are the direct words from Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch on MLB Network Radio this week, and yeah, he is *not* messing around. Hinch isn’t pretending to be an impartial observer, not trying to be diplomatic about other candidates, and definitely not disguising his preference. He’s just saying it how it is, plain and simple.
McGonigle’s Numbers Are Absolutely Bonkers Right Now
Look, Hinch’s argument isn’t just about loyalty to his guy; it’s backed up by some serious firepower. Through 153 games, McGonigle is batting a solid .278 with a .378 on-base percentage and an .806 OPS. We’re talking 165 hits, 17 home runs, 70 RBIs, 95 runs, 28 doubles, and 12 stolen bases. This dude has been Detroit’s most valuable player, even in what’s been a pretty disappointing season for the team. It’s not about dominating one single stat, it’s about doing almost everything well.
The 22-year-old boasts a 130 OPS+, which means his offensive game has been roughly 30 percent better than the league average after adjusting for everything from ballparks to league environments. His plate discipline? Exceptional for a rookie, with 94 walks compared to just 96 strikeouts. Seriously, earlier in September, McGonigle joined Ted Williams in some seriously rare rookie territory because of how well he hits, gets on base, and controls the strike zone at such a young age. And his value isn’t just at the plate. He’s handled multiple infield positions and been in the lineup nearly every single day. All that all-around production helped him lead every MLB rookie with a massive 6.1 Baseball-Reference WAR when MLB.com released its September award poll. That’s the real foundation beneath Hinch’s planted flag.
The Competition Is Real, But McGonigle’s Still The Guy
Okay, so McGonigle might be the favorite, but this isn’t a done deal yet. Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick has built the strongest pitching case out there. Messick even ranked second in MLB.com’s September Rookie of the Year poll, snagging three first-place votes. His ability to prevent runs and rack up strikeouts has been key in keeping Cleveland in the AL Central race. Then you’ve got Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami. His batting average and strikeout totals aren’t quite on McGonigle’s level, but his power? That’s impossible to ignore. He went into the final stretch of September with 32 home runs, which is a headline stat for any voter.
So, it’s a clear field: Messick offers elite pitching, Murakami brings game-changing power, and McGonigle counters with the most balanced résumé. As Hinch sees it, this isn’t about who broke a single rookie record; it’s about the entire season, about total value. Voters are going to compare McGonigle’s full package against Messick’s arm and Murakami’s dingers. The final stretch of September is gonna be wild as these votes roll in. Who’s gonna walk away with it? Hinch’s flag is firmly planted, and honestly, the numbers back him up big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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