After one of the many big games from Sal Stewart in August, media members went over to his locker afterwards to interview him. His teammates started cheering and yelling, “Rookie of the Year!” Although they might be biased, he is in fact the no-doubt National League Rookie of the Year.
It’s hard to even fathom where the Reds would be without his production—elite RBI totals, prodigious home run power, and a fantastic two-strike approach—this season. He’s the first rookie in franchise history with 30 homers and 100 RBI, and there’s still a month left in the 2026 season. “He’s not just one of the best rookie hitters,” says closer Emilio Pagán. “He’s one of the best hitters in the league.”
As impressive as this season has been, the Reds saw something like this breakout coming. In the season opener, Stewart became the first rookie ever to hit cleanup for Terry Francona on Opening Day throughout the manager’s 25-year career. Stewart’s role in the lineup only increased over time as he moved up to third and occasionally second in the batting order.
Stewart was a role player for the Reds last September, getting a taste of the major leagues, but this season he never hit the proverbial rookie wall. Instead, during portions of the year where the offense has been at its low points, Stewart has been a beacon. “It’s incredible, a hell of a first year,” says catcher Tyler Stephenson. “It’s been cool to just see him do it every day. He has been doing it all year. Any time guys are on, you know he’s going to get the job done.”
Stewart flies in the face of what’s become one of the worst trends this season, when, outside of him, the team’s most inexperienced players have fallen flat. Entering September, they’ve barely received any production from Noelvi Marte or Edwin Arroyo and designated for assignment Will Benson, Rece Hinds, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Héctor Rodríguez had a really nice road trip last week, but he’s still getting settled in and growing into a more consistent player.
The Reds were counting on young players generating the upside in this lineup. The fact that they weren’t able to help the Reds win for the bulk of this season is one of the reasons why 2026 will go down as a disappointing year in Cincinnati.
The coaching staff and front office will have to take a closer look going forward at their approach developing young hitters. “If a guy isn’t getting hits, we can certainly work with them, and we do,” says Francona. “You certainly try to put them in a position where you think they can succeed. Sometimes coming to the Major Leagues can be difficult. José Ramírez got sent back twice (in Cleveland). You hope that guys learn and get better. There are going to be growing pains with all young guys. If they get better, it’s worth it. If they don’t, it makes it difficult.”
Rodríguez and Arroyo are going to be the most interesting Reds to watch down the stretch. Rodríguez’s “splash hit” homer in San Francisco last week shows the tools that made him a top prospect in the organization. He’s struggled so far in the big leagues at maintaining a consistent approach at the plate, but he has the upside to stick in the top-half of the Reds’ lineup. He homered again during Sunday Night Baseball’s win over the Cubs, and the power is real.
Calling Arroyo back up to the big leagues this weekend was a surprising move, since he’ll be playing a new position at third base. He has to show progress offensively after not hitting for any power in his first two months in the big leagues. “You always try to make a better first impression,” says Arroyo. “It didn’t happen. I’ve got another chance now. That’s what I’m trying to do. This time is going to be different. I know that. I’m excited to show it.”
Rodríguez and Arroyo can look up to Stewart for how to handle the experiences they’re going through. Stewart, 22, has aced every test that’s come his way this season. His defense is underrated, and his ability to play both second and third base is a critical piece of the puzzle for the Reds’ roster construction.
The Rookie of the Year case for rival JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals revolves around his defensive value. He’s one of the best second basemen in the big leagues, which is valuable. But Stewart’s versatility provides value that doesn’t show up in the metrics, and Wetherholt has been nowhere near the hitter that Stewart has been. Wetherholt also went on the injured list on Sunday.
Mets outfielder Carson Benge is another NL Rookie of the Year candidate, but he’s had much more of a rollercoaster rookie season, doesn’t have Wetherholt’s defensive value, and doesn’t offer much from a power or RBI standpoint.
The award should go to Stewart, and his teammates see no alternatives. “His at-bats seem to be getting better,” Pagán says. “It speaks to the quality of at-bat, his mind, the way he prepares for the starting pitchers. He can almost talk his way into what they’re trying to get him out with, and they you see it happen and he’s ready for it.”
Charlie Goldsmith has covered the Reds and Bengals since 2020, and his newsletter on the teams can be found at charlieschalkboard.substack.com.
