Reds FeedSal Stewart
1B · Age 22 · Bats Right
Where things stand
Sal Stewart has built a dominant rookie season for the Cincinnati Reds and emerged as the clear frontrunner for National League Rookie of the Year. The first baseman has hit at least 30 home runs with over 100 RBIs, joining an elite group of rookies—nine of whom since 1947 all won the award—and recently became the first Reds rookie since 1953 to reach the 100-RBI mark. Stewart's offensive production significantly outpaces his main competition, JJ Wetherholt of the Cardinals, and he is a Silver Slugger finalist who particularly excels in clutch situations with runners in scoring position.
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2026 season
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Sal Stewart coverage
How the former 1st round draft picks of the Reds have looked in 2026
The Cincinnati Reds' recent first-round draft picks are showing mixed results in 2026. Chase Burns and Sal Stewart, both former early picks, contributed to the Reds' recent victory over the Cubs, with Burns earning his 15th win and Stewart hitting his third consecutive home run. Among prospects still in the minor leagues, Lebron is performing well at High-A with a .288 average and power display, while Hall shows promise despite struggling in the Florida State League. Other prospects like Floyd have battled injuries, Collier is hitting just .214 at Double-A, and Hendrick has struggled after an initial hot start, while Nelson has left the organization entirely.
Red ReporterSal Stewart should win Rookie of the Year but 2006 offers stark warning to Reds fans
Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds has built a strong case for NL Rookie of the Year with a .806 OPS and 31 home runs with over 100 RBIs, significantly outpacing his main competition JJ Wetherholt. Stewart's offensive production exceeds what previous rookie sluggers have achieved, though the article cautions that positional value and defensive metrics have historically favored middle infielders in voting, citing the 2006 race when Hanley Ramirez won despite Ryan Zimmerman's superior offensive numbers. Wetherholt's recent wrist injury further improves Stewart's chances, though the article warns that nothing is guaranteed in award voting.
Blog Red MachineNick Krall's problems go back to Reds' disastrous 2022 trade deadline
The Cincinnati Reds' current struggles under President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall trace back to the 2022 trade deadline, when the team sold off veterans like Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle while 42-61. The prospects acquired in return—including Edwin Arroyo, Noelvi Marte, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand—largely failed to develop as hoped, with only Spencer Steer becoming a reliable contributor. As a budget-constrained franchise, the Reds needed a strong homegrown core to compete, but the failed 2022 deadline acquisitions forced Krall to make inefficient spending decisions that have hampered the team's ability to build around young stars like Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart.
Blog Red MachineReds blast four homers in 7-5 win over Cubs on Sunday Night Baseball
The Reds defeated the Cubs 7-5 on Sunday Night Baseball to win the series at Wrigley Field. Cincinnati's four home runs came from Hector Rodriguez (three-run shot), Dane Myers, Tyler Stephenson, and Sal Stewart (418-foot solo blast), while Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two homers including one in the first inning. Reds starter Chase Burns allowed two earned runs over 5.2 innings on 100 pitches despite an early umpiring miss on a strikeout call. Elly De La Cruz left the game early with quad tightness, though manager Terry Francona expressed confidence he could return to the lineup soon.
Red ReporterSal Stewart's Silver Slugger case is enough to win NL ROY argument over JJ Wetherholt
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart has emerged as the frontrunner for the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year Award over St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt, with Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin sidelined since late June. Stewart leads all of Major League Baseball in RBIs with over 100 and is a Silver Slugger finalist, while Wetherholt's offensive numbers hover around league average at .245/.347/.377 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs. Stewart particularly excels with runners in scoring position, batting .321 with 81 RBIs and a 159 wRC+ in those situations, demonstrating his ability to drive in runs consistently. Wetherholt's elite defense and baserunning cannot overcome his offensive production gap compared to Stewart's dominant hitting performance.
Blog Red MachineStewart in rare Reds company with 30-homer, 100-RBI rookie campaign
MLB.com RedsSal Stewart launches his 30th homer of the 2026 season
Sal Stewart hit his 30th home run of the season on Saturday at Wrigley Field, a 431-foot blast that also gave him 100 RBIs for the year. The Cincinnati Reds rookie became the 14th player in major league history to achieve a 30-homer, 100-RBI season as a rookie, and joined Frank Robinson as the only Reds rookies to reach the 30-homer mark. Of the nine rookies since 1947 who posted 30-homer, 100-RBI seasons, all nine won the Rookie of the Year Award.
Red ReporterHector Rodriguez back at leadoff as Reds look to take series from Cubs
The Reds defeated the Cubs 10-8 on Friday behind home runs from Tyler Stephenson, Sal Stewart, Jose Trevino, and TJ Friedl. Rookie Hector Rodriguez, who batted ninth due to a Cubs left-handed starter, went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI while scoring twice. Rodriguez returns to the leadoff spot for Saturday's matinee at Wrigleyville, with Andrew Abbott taking the mound as Cincinnati seeks to win the series.
Red ReporterMLB Network analyst just gave Sal Stewart the ultimate Rookie of the Year defense
As the 2026 season enters September, Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart and St. Louis Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt are competing closely for National League Rookie of the Year. MLB Network analyst Chris Young argued the race should not be competitive, pointing to Stewart's 28 home runs and 100 RBIs as decisive offensive statistics that typically determine the award. Young criticized advanced metrics like WAR for undervaluing Stewart, noting that Wetherholt's 4.8 WAR compared to Stewart's 1.9 suggests the metric may not properly account for first basemen's contributions.
Blog Red MachineStewart makes latest case for Rookie of the Year in Reds' win at Wrigley
MLB.com RedsSal Stewart's historic Reds milestone should cement Rookie of the Year case
Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds became the first Reds rookie since 1953 to record 100 RBIs in a season, achieving the milestone with a sacrifice fly against the Giants on Wednesday with more than a month remaining in the 2026 season. Stewart is only the eighth player this century to reach 100 RBIs as a rookie, joining an elite group that includes Albert Pujols, Aaron Judge, and Pete Alonso, five of whom won Rookie of the Year. Compared to his main competition, Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt, Stewart has a higher batting average (.263 to .245), significantly higher slugging percentage, more than double the RBIs, and 11 additional home runs. Only two other rookies in MLB history—Ted Williams and Jose Canseco—have been the first player to reach 100 RBIs in a season.
Blog Red MachineIs Stewart the frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year? Here are the contenders
MLB.com RedsCincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants – Nick Lodolo vs. Logan Webb
The Cincinnati Reds face the San Francisco Giants in Wednesday's series finale with manager Terry Francona making lineup changes, including moving rookie Hector Rodriguez to leadoff while dropping Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart in the batting order. Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo takes the mound with a 5.04 ERA this season, looking to rebound from a poor outing against Arizona. Giants starter Logan Webb will oppose Lodolo with first pitch scheduled for 3:45 PM ET.
Red ReporterReds' slugger Sal Stewart has a bigger threat to Rookie of the Year than JJ Wetherholt
The National League Rookie of the Year race has expanded beyond the early frontrunners Sal Stewart and JJ Wetherholt, with Mets outfielder Carson Benge surging since the All-Star break. Benge is hitting .319/.369/.504 in the second half and closing in on a 20-20 season, but Stewart maintains strong credentials with league-leading rookie totals in home runs, hits, and RBIs, plus a team-leading 98 RBIs overall. Stewart has appeared in every Reds game this season and accounts for over 25% of Cincinnati's runs scored or driven in, substantially more than his competitors.
Blog Red MachineReds could pay a huge price if Sal Stewart is overlooked for Rookie of the Year
Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds and JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals are the leading candidates for National League Rookie of the Year, with fans debating their merits based on offensive versus defensive statistics. The award will be decided by 30 Baseball Writers' Association members voting before the postseason. Under the new Prospective Promotion Incentive rule, winning Rookie of the Year grants the player's team an additional draft pick after Round 1, which could significantly benefit Cincinnati's farm system if Stewart wins.
Blog Red MachineReds icon Joey Votto delivers timely defense that should boost Sal Stewart's ROY case
Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds and JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals have emerged as the top contenders for National League Rookie of the Year, with Stewart climbing from a preseason 4.7% chance to nearly tie Wetherholt's odds. Stewart's offensive numbers are superior, posting a .259/.333/.474 slash line with 27 home runs and 96 RBIs compared to Wetherholt's .243/.348/.373 with 16 home runs and 46 RBIs. The main reason Wetherholt maintains a slight edge is his higher WAR (4.4 versus 2.1), which heavily favors him due to positional value differences between second base and first base. Reds legend Joey Votto has argued that first base defense deserves more credit, particularly in receiving throws from infielders to convert outs, a specialized skill that significantly impacts team defense.
Blog Red MachineTerry Francona may have quietly revealed the Reds' biggest offseason need
Terry Francona stated he would prefer Elly De La Cruz not bat leadoff for the Reds, citing the burden placed on De La Cruz and Sal Stewart as the team's only consistent offensive performers. The manager's comments suggest Cincinnati will pursue a traditional, contact-oriented leadoff hitter in the offseason, though finding one that fits the team's budget may prove difficult. Luis Arraez is mentioned as a possible target to replace struggling second baseman Matt McLain, though he lacks the plate discipline and speed of a classic leadoff hitter.
Blog Red MachineReds broadcast's defense of Sal Stewart included Ke'Bryan Hayes catching a stray
The 2026 National League Rookie of the Year race features Cincinnati's Sal Stewart, an All-Star with 27 home runs and a league-leading 94 RBIs, against St. Louis's JJ Wetherholt, known for his defensive skills and baserunning. During Wednesday's Reds-Cardinals broadcast, announcer Jeff Brantley argued that Stewart should be the runaway favorite, dismissing the emphasis on defensive metrics and suggesting that if fielding alone mattered, the Reds' Ke'Bryan Hayes should win MVP—an unintended jab at Hayes's offensive struggles despite his two Gold Glove Awards. Brantley contended that elevating a player hitting .243 over Stewart's offensive production requires more justification than defensive prowess alone.
Blog Red MachineReds could unlock the best version of Sal Stewart with one bold move
Sal Stewart, the Reds' 22-year-old rookie first baseman, is on pace for 30 home runs and 100 RBIs with a 114 wRC+ in his debut season. The article suggests Cincinnati could maximize his value by moving him back to third base, his original minor league position, since he's a solid defender there and elite offensive production is more valuable at that position than at first base. This shift would also free up first base for another slugger and would allow the team to phase out Ke'Bryan Hayes, whose batting average and wRC+ have declined significantly this season.
Blog Red MachineReds' 2027 reset must include a change beyond just Nick Krall
The Cincinnati Reds' 2027 reset must address problems beyond President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, whose roster construction has underperformed relative to available resources. While Krall bears responsibility for the team's struggles, hitting coach Chris Valaika also deserves scrutiny after the Reds ranked near the bottom in most offensive categories over the past two seasons despite the development of Elly De La Cruz and the addition of Sal Stewart. Key players like TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, and Matt McLain have all experienced significant statistical declines, suggesting coaching and approach issues beyond roster talent. The team's offensive strategy appears one-dimensional, relying heavily on home runs rather than a comprehensive plan at the plate.
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