Reds News: Sal Stewart's rare feat, Draft Lottery odds, social media backlash

Sal Stewart wrapped up his rookie season with a rather modest showing during the month of September. After winning Rookie of the Month honors in August, Stewart hit just .247/.287/.289 during the final month of the season.

Most experts and pundits still expect Stewart to win the 2026 NL Rookie of the Year award, but New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge has certainly closed the gap. On Sunday, however, Stewart did something that Benge, nor any other rookie did this season. He played in all 162 games.

Sal Stewart was the Reds' iron-man in 2026

Only seven players in Major League Baseball this season — eight if you count Pete Alonso whose opportunity to reach 162 games played was eliminated after Sunday's contest between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees was canceled — to play in every game this season. Last season, the number was six, and in 2024 it was only four.

Stewart joins, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bryce Harper, Junior Caminero, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, and Bryan Reynolds as this year's group of MLB iron-men. The Reds' rookie also started every game, save for July 26 against the St. Louis Cardinals when he came on as a pinch hitter.

Stewart is also only the eighth rookie in Major League history to play all 162 games in a single season. The last player to accomplish such a feat was Delmon Young with the Tampa Bay Rays nearly 20 years ago.

Reds' lottery odds certainly improved with an underwhelming performance in 2026

If it's included in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Draft Lottery gives the Reds a 6.4% chance to secure the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft. Cincinnati is slotted between the Mets (8.7%) and the Detroit Tigers (4.5%) — both of whom also endured disappointing seasons in 2026.

The Reds were the benefactor of the MLB Draft Lottery in 2024. Cincinnati moved all the way up to No. 2 and selected Chase Burns. The flamethrower has since become one of the best pitchers in the majors, and Cincinnati signed their prized ace to a seven-year, $105 million contract extension earlier this season.

With the potential of the 2027 MLB season being delayed or canceled due of the impending labor negotiations, baseball fans may be forced to turn their attention to the college ranks next spring. Doing so would allow Reds fans to get an up-close and personal look at some of the top prospects heading into next year's draft, one of whom could be part of Cincinnati's farm system in the near future.

Thanks for nothing, Reds — at least that's the overwhelming sentiment from fans

The Reds social media posted a heartfelt thank you to the fans following a disappointing end to the 2026 season. Predictably, the responses in the comments were not kind. Some replies were ripe with expletives, while others expressed exhaustion, disgust, and worst of all, apathy.

The majority of Reds' fandom is not in a good space at the moment. The team's lack of success — not only this season, but for the last two decades — coupled with the apparent lack of front office changes, have most fans feeling defeated before next season even gets underway. Cincinnati's leadership has a lot of making up to do this winter.

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