CINCINNATI -- No moment seemed too big for Reds rookie first baseman Sal Stewart in 2026.
Although only 22, the confident Stewart repeatedly came up big for Cincinnati in run-scoring situations. His ability to rack up RBIs seemed almost instinctual. The statistics, and the accolades that followed, reflected it.
On Monday, Stewart received his biggest acknowledgment of all when he was named the winner of the National League Rookie of the Year Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America during an awards show on MLB Network and MLB+.
Among ballots cast by 30 members of the BBWAA, Stewart received 20 first-place votes and tallied 170 points overall. He finished ahead of Mets outfielder Carson Benge, who finished with seven first-place votes and 107 points, and Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt, who received three first-place votes for 99 points.
The Reds became the fifth Major League franchise to have at least nine Rookie of the Year winners, joining the Dodgers (18), Yankees (10), Braves (10) and A's (9). The previous recipients from Cincinnati were Jonathan India (2021), Scott Williamson (1999), Chris Sabo (1988), Pat Zachry (1976), Johnny Bench (1968), Tommy Helms (1966), Pete Rose (1963) and Frank Robinson (1956).
An NL All-Star during his first full big league season, Stewart batted .263 with a .787 OPS, 32 home runs and 112 RBIs while playing all 162 games -- with 161 starts. Besides first base, he made starts at third base, second base and designated hitter.
Stewart joins the Hall of Famer Robinson (38) as the only Reds rookies to put together a 30-homer rookie year. While setting the franchise rookie record in RBIs, Stewart became the only Cincinnati rookie to enjoy a 30-homer, 100-RBI season.
That was something that only 14 Major League rookies have ever accomplished.
Each of the previous nine to do it since the Rookie of the Year Award began (1947) have won it. They were Walt Dropo (1950), Ron Kittle (1983), Jose Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Mike Piazza (1993), Albert Pujols (2001), José Abreu (2014), Aaron Judge (2017) and Pete Alonso (2019).
Stewart led all NL rookies in homers, RBIs, extra-base hits (57) and total bases (285). His 164 hits -- the most by the Reds rookie since Pete Rose's 170 in 1963 -- were tied for second. He was also second in runs scored (87) and third in walks (63).
While Great American Ball Park is viewed as one of the more hitter-friendly stadiums in the game, Stewart actually hit more homers on the road (17) than at home (15). He also showed an advanced hitters' approach the whole year, with a capability to work deep counts and hit to all fields.
Put it all together, and Stewart earned the award on Monday night.