Sal Stewart is making MLB execs regret their preseason Rookie of the Year picks

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart has emerged as the clear favorite for National League Rookie of the Year after accumulating over 30 home runs and 100 RBIs this season. In a January poll of MLB executives, Stewart received only 4.7% of the vote and tied for fifth place, far behind JJ Wetherholt, Nolan McLean, and Konnor Griffin, despite having already demonstrated his ability with an .839 OPS over 18 games in 2025. Stewart's achievement joins an elite group—he is the fifth player since 1994 to reach 30 homers and 100 RBIs as a rookie, alongside Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso, Albert Pujols, and Jose Abreu. At age 22 or younger, Stewart ranks among only four players in MLB history to accomplish this feat, alongside Pujols, Ted Williams, and Hal Trosky.

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