Reds rookie Sal Stewart is chasing a franchise feat nobody saw coming

Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart launched his 18th and 19th home runs of the 2026 season on Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park. In doing so, Stewart passed Hall of Famer Frank Robinson for the most home runs by a Reds' rookie before the All-Star break.

Robinson, who was an All-Star in his own right during his rookie season in 1956, smashed 18 round trippers before the Midsummer Classic that year. It was the first of 14 All-Star appearances for the two-time MVP.

"It feels good to be in company with someone of that great of a stature of player," Stewart said after Wednesday's 11-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. "It means a lot. (I'm) definitely grateful, you know? Like I always say, Jesus, He does things that I can't even explain."

As he ascended through the Reds' farm system, Stewart was never really known as a power-hitter. Prior to last season, his career-high for home runs in a season was the 12 he hit in 117 games while splitting time between Low-A Daytona and High-A Dayton in 2023.

But Stewart slugged 10 homers in 80 games with the Chattanooga Lookouts last season before being promoted to Triple-A Louisville. The onslaught continued, and he walloped another 10 home runs in just 38 games with the Louisville Bats before being called up to the big leagues.

Stewart's cup of coffee with the Reds in 2025 saw him mash five home runs and post a .545 slugging percentage in just 18 games. This season, he's hitting .256/.341/.481 with 19 homers, 64 RBI, and a 118 wRC+.

Can Sal Stewart break Frank Robinson's Reds rookie record?

Stewart may have already surpassed Robinson's pre-All-Star Game rookie record, but the Hall of Famer's 1956 season didn't end with just 18 home runs. Robinson crushed another 20 dingers after the Midsummer Classic and owns the Reds' rookie record with 38 home runs. Does Stewart have a chance to match that number?

To date, Stewart has started in all 91 games this season. He's on pace to hit 34 home runs, which would place him four behind Robinson's rookie record. Those 38 round trippers for Robinson remain tied for the fifth-most all-time behind Pete Alonso (53), Aaron Judge (52), Mark McGwire (49), and Cody Bellinger (39).

Stewart is unlikely to catch anyone above Robinson on that list outside of maybe Bellinger, and even that would be a feat in and of itself. The Reds still have four games left to play before the All-Star break, which gives Stewart plenty of opportunities to keep climbing that ladder. Then the real test begins once the dog days of summer hit.

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