The 2026 Rookie of the Year awards have officially been handed out, with Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle claiming the American League title and Reds slugger Sal Stewart taking home the National League honor. McGonigle dominated the AL race wire-to-wire, while Stewart narrowly edged out Mets outfielder Carson Benge and Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt. These performances set a high standard for the incoming 2027 class, a group poised to deliver some of the most exciting young talent in recent memory as fans look ahead to the next wave of stars.
With 2026 winners McGonigle and Stewart setting the bar, here’s who will chase the 2027 award.
As the 2026 season concludes, attention shifts to the 2027 rookie cohort, where Mariners pitcher Kade Anderson emerges as the frontrunner for the AL award. Anderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 Draft, made his debut in late August and delivered seven solid starts for Seattle. Crucially, he remains rookie-eligible because he did not exceed the limits of 50 innings or 45 days of service time. Widely regarded as the best pitching prospect in the game, Anderson is expected to secure a rotation spot on Opening Day 2027, a status that significantly strengthens his case for the award, especially with the pitcher-friendly environment of T-Mobile Park in his favor.
Beyond Anderson, the 2027 class features other high-potential names like Josue De Paula and Jesús Made, who are expected to make immediate impacts in their respective leagues. The anticipation surrounding this group is palpable, as the Rookie of the Year award serves as the ultimate indicator of a player’s readiness to lead the sport into the future. Great young players are the foundation of baseball’s long-term success, and the 2027 class appears ready to deliver the kind of dominant, star-making performances that define a generation.
Source: CBS Sports
