Heyman Unveils 2026 MLB Season Award Winners

PCA's 2026 performance, marked by a 10.6 fWAR, ranked among the best since 2000, trailing only Aaron Judge and Barry Bonds.

He demonstrated elite all-around value, achieving 100th percentile rankings in both fielding and hitting, and 99th in base running. PCA outperformed every metric to secure player of the year status.

PCA became one of only three players in history, alongside George Sisler and Willie Mays, to finish in the top five for home runs, triples, and stolen bases. He also became the first player since Ty Cobb to record 40 stolen bases while leading his league in home runs.

Mizarowski reached 1,000 pitches at 100 mph or faster with a .157 batting average against, while Schlitler managed 25 starts allowing one or zero earned runs, a milestone last achieved by Sandy Koufax.

Mizarowski distinguished himself by throwing 1,000 pitches at 100 mph or faster and maintaining an exceptional .157 batting average against.

Schlitler impressed with 25 starts allowing zero or one earned run, a remarkable feat not achieved since Sandy Koufax in the modern era. Despite Mizarowski's power, Schlitler logged 19 more innings and kept an ERA under 2.00.

Miller recorded a 3.0 WAR season, which Heyman noted as comparable to Mariano Rivera's prime, showcasing his dominance.

His stellar performance included almost 17 strikeouts per nine innings and a 1.67 ERA, highlighting his reliability in high-stakes games for San Diego.

Kevin McGonagal earned Rookie of the Year with a 7.1 WAR, placing him among the top 10 players overall in WAR.

He set a franchise record for on-base percentage for the Detroit Tigers, surpassing Hall of Famer Harvey Kuenn. This record encompasses all Tigers players in franchise history rather than being restricted to rookies.

McGonagal's achievement in getting on base more than any Tiger in history underscores the exceptional nature of his inaugural season.

Kevin McGonagal was recognized as the top rookie for his historic season, despite a competitive class that included Bench, Weatherhold, Stewart, and Messi.

His combined doubles and RBI statistics as a rookie were compared to Ted Williams's debut season, a rare historical parallel. This unique statistical achievement was a key factor in his selection.

Heyman highlighted that McGonagal was the best among a strong group of new players, making his performance particularly noteworthy.

Other notable managerial candidates included Walt Weiss, Kevin Cash, and Will Venable, reflecting a strong field of contenders.

Historical benchmarks for such a massive turnaround include the 1900s Boston Braves and the Senators, who also clawed back from prolonged losing streaks.

Steve Phillips praised Getz's ability to develop talent effectively at the major league level, contributing significantly to the team's success. Other executives considered for the award included Alex Anthopoulos, Matt Arnold, and Eric Neander.

Pete Alonso was named the biggest free agent hit of the year, finishing with 43 home runs and leading the league in RBIs with 113.

Alonso made history by becoming the first player ever to lead both leagues in RBIs during his career, a testament to his consistent power and run production. He also became one of only five players to lead both leagues in home runs.

He demonstrated exceptional durability, playing in 161 games and missing only one due to a rainout. Heyman also highlighted Ty France as a high-value small contract, who hit .295 with an .865 OPS on a $1.35 million minor league deal.