Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart earned the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year Award after a season that saw him drive in 112 runs and hit 32 homers. Stewart, who played every game for Cincinnati this year, posted a slash line of .263/.330/.457 and ranked third in MLB for RBIs.
Stewart’s rookie eligibility came after his September call-up in 2025, when he appeared in 18 games but did not meet the threshold to lose rookie status. The 2026 season marked his full-time debut as the Reds’ starting first baseman, a position Cincinnati had struggled to fill since the departure of Joey Votto following the 2023 campaign.
Before Stewart’s emergence, the Reds had relied on Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Encarnacion-Strand began this year in the minor leagues and was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Orioles after Stewart secured the starting role.
Stewart becomes the ninth Cincinnati player to win the NL Rookie of the Year, joining Hall of Famers and franchise legends such as Frank Robinson, Pete Rose, and Johnny Bench. The list also includes Tommy Helms, Pat Zachry, Chris Sabo, Scott Williamson, and Jonathan India, who won the award in 2021.
The other finalists for the 2026 NL Rookie of the Year were second baseman JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals and outfielder Carson Benge of the New York Mets. Wetherholt appeared in 139 games, posting a higher Wins Above Replacement (WAR) than Stewart with 4.5 compared to Stewart’s 1.4. Wetherholt’s WAR was the best on the Cardinals this season and ranked 15th among all MLB hitters.
Carson Benge finished the year with 168 hits, ranking seventh across the majors, and posted a .282 batting average, which was 15th among qualified hitters. Benge’s 4.3 WAR tied him for 18th-best in the league alongside Fernando Tatis of the San Diego Padres.
Despite the lower WAR, Stewart’s power numbers and run production stood out. His 32 home runs and 112 RBIs placed him among the top offensive performers in the league, helping Cincinnati address a longtime void at first base. Stewart’s achievement comes as the Reds look to rebuild and compete in the NL Central after several seasons of transition.
The announcement was confirmed by MLB Network on November 10, with the official title being the 2026 BBWAA NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year. Stewart’s steady presence at first base and consistent offensive output gave the Reds a reliable option throughout the season.
Stewart’s award caps a year where he proved durability and impact, playing every game and emerging as one of the league’s most productive rookies. The Reds will hope he continues to develop as a cornerstone for the team’s lineup in the years ahead.
According to Yahoo Sports.
