Reds First Baseman Sal Stewart Claims NL Rookie Award
The 22-year-old Miami native hit 32 home runs and drove in 112 runs to secure the honor from the BBWAA.
By Anthony Lawson ·
Major League Baseball has identified the top performer among its youngest players. Sal Stewart, the Cincinnati Reds first baseman, received the National League Rookie of the Year award on Monday.
The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) selected Stewart from a field of three candidates. The group also included Mets outfielder Carson Benge and Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt in the final voting count.
Stewart posted a record-setting campaign for the club in 2026. Following a brief one-month stint in the previous year, the 22-year-old finished with a .263 batting average and a .787 OPS. His offensive line included 32 home runs and 112 runs batted in.
The performance marked a first for a Reds rookie. Stewart became the first player in franchise history to record a season with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. The previous nine Major League players to achieve that milestone since the award began in 1947 all won the honor. That list includes Pete Alonso, Aaron Judge, and Albert Pujols.
Stewart led all National League rookies in four statistical categories. He topped the league in home runs, RBIs, extra-base hits with 57, and total bases with 285. He was also named to the 2026 All-Star Game.
The Miami, Florida native played all 162 games for the Reds. He started 161 of those contests while serving as a designated hitter and playing first, second, and third base. The team selected him with the 32nd overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
