Reds fans hope Sal Stewart's latest honor is a predictor, not a red herring

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart was named The Sporting News' 2026 NL Rookie of the Year. Though it doesn't receive the same level of recognition — or carry the same draft pick implications — as the end-of-season award that's handed out by the Baseball Writer's Association of America (BBWAA), it could be positive sign of things to come. Then again, maybe not.

The BBWAA and The Sporting News haven't always agreed on Rookie of the Year honors. Just last season, Chicago Cubs' pitcher Cade Horton took home the honors from The Sporting News, but Atlanta Braves' catcher Drake Baldwin was named NL Rookie of the Year by the writers.

In 2024, The Sporting News tabbed Athletics' closer Mason Miller (AL) and San Diego Padres' outfielder Jackson Merrill (NL) for their Rookie of the Year awards, but the BBWAA went with New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (AL) and Pittsburgh Pirates ace' Paul Skenes (NL). In 2023, The Sporting News went with Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider, while the writers went with his teammate, Michael Harris II.

Reds' Sal Stewart gets a promising preview of his Rookie of the Year fate

Most Reds fans are of the assumption that this year's NL Rookie of the Year shouldn't even be that close. After all, Stewart crushed 32 home runs and racked up 112 RBI — leading all rookies in both categories — while hitting .263/.330/.457 with a 112 wRC+ and playing multiple positions.

But counting stats are seen as an antiquated metric in the eyes of modern-day voters. So many writers have taken Stewart's résumé to task since the season ended, picking it apart due to trivial matters such as the position he plays and that funny little stat that everyone seems to love, Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

Still, Stewart's efforts in 2026 were quite impressive, and offense usually carries the day when discussing awards like Rookie of the Year. But the writers could go off-script and vote for St. Louis Cardinals' infielder JJ Wetherholt. The New York Mets have two contenders for the award as well. Outfielder Carson Benge and pitcher Nolan McLean both had outstanding seasons in Queens.

Stewart did himself no favors by taking his foot off the gas in September. After winning Rookie of the Month honors in August, his bat let him down during the final month of the season. He hit .247/.287/.280 with just one home run and a 56 wRC+ over his final 24 games.

Still, his résumé should be enough to be named the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year next month. But the vote stands to be a lot closer than Reds fans might believe.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow