The 2026 season has been a challenging one for the Cincinnati Reds, but rookie Sal Stewart has emerged as a bright spot for the team. Following a promising debut in 2025, Stewart has elevated his performance this year, positioning himself as the leading candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year award as September unfolds.
According to MLB.com’s Jason Foster, a recent poll of 40 MLB experts revealed that 24 have voted Stewart as the favorite for the prestigious award. The rookie's impressive statistics not only highlight his talent but also align with historical trends in Major League Baseball, suggesting that he may have already secured the honor.
Foster pointed out that any rookie who has achieved the feat of hitting 30 or more home runs and driving in over 100 runs by the end of August has historically won the Rookie of the Year award since its inception in 1947. Stewart has already reached these milestones, having hit 31 home runs and recorded 105 RBIs, leading all rookies and ranking first in the majors for RBIs.
While there were whispers of competition from fellow rookie JJ Wetherholt, who has faced injury issues and a drop in performance since the All-Star break, Stewart's consistent offensive output has solidified his standing. With nearly a full month of the regular season remaining, he is poised to join an elite group of rookies who have achieved similar success.
In addition to his power numbers, Stewart boasts a .268 batting average and an .827 OPS over 139 games, contributing 80 runs, 143 hits, and 25 doubles to the Reds' lineup. Although his defense and plate discipline—reflected in his 130 strikeouts against 57 walks—could see improvement, his overall offensive contributions make a compelling case for the Rookie of the Year title.
Other rookies like Nolan McLean and Carson Benge have also shown promise this season, and while Wetherholt may surpass Stewart in bWAR, it is Stewart's significant offensive achievements that are likely to carry the day when the votes are cast. With the weight of MLB history behind him, Sal Stewart stands at the forefront of the NL Rookie of the Year race, ready to make his mark in the league.
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