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Reds infielder Sal Stewart wins National League Rookie of the Year award
The 22-year-old led National League rookies with 32 homers and 112 RBIs, and became the first Reds rookie to play every game.
- On Monday, the Baseball Writers' Association of America named Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year, defeating New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt.
- Stewart played all 162 games during his record-breaking 2026 season, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 112 runs to shatter Jim Greengrass's 73-year-old franchise RBI record for a rookie.
- Becoming the first Reds rookie to produce a 30-homer and 100-RBI season, Stewart joined an exclusive group; each of the previous nine players achieving this feat since 1947 also won Rookie of the Year, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
- "Man, relieved," Stewart told MLB Network after the award announcement. The victory secures Cincinnati an extra draft pick through Major League Baseball's Prospect Promotion Incentive for giving him a full rookie season.
- Despite lagging behind Benge and Wetherholt in advanced metrics like WAR, voters prioritized Stewart's power and durability. The race sparked debate, as his competitors offered superior defensive and all-around seasons.
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Left, 40% Center
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources are Center
40% Center
L 40%
C 40%
R 20%
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