CINCINNATI -- Following a superlative first full season in the Major Leagues, Reds first baseman Sal Stewart has a chance to receive some important recognition next week.
Stewart was named Monday as a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year Award, which is presented annually by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
The other two finalists -- as voted on by 30 members of the BBWAA -- are Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt and Mets outfielder Carson Benge. The winners of the BBWAA's NL and American League Rookie of the Year awards will be announced on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network.
It would seem that the award is Stewart's to lose, however, after the 2026 campaign the 22-year-old put together.
While playing all 162 games (with 161 starts), Stewart batted .263 with a .787 OPS, 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. Besides first base, he also made starts at third base, second base and designated hitter.
Stewart was the second Reds player to put together a 30-homer rookie year, joining Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who had 38 home runs in 1956. While also 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).
A 2026 All-Star, 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 in the NL. He was also second in the league in runs (87) and third in walks (63).
The last Reds player to earn NL Rookie of the Year honors was Jonathan India in 2021. The eight other winners in franchise history are Robinson (1956), Pete Rose (1963), Tommy Helms (1966), Johnny Bench (1968), Pat Zachry (1976), Chris Sabo (1988) and Scott Williamson (1999).
Wetherholt emerged as an early favorite for NL Rookie of the Year, but injuries and a second-half fade impacted his chances. He batted .242 with a .704 OPS, 17 homers and 51 RBIs in 139 games. But Wetherholt's defense is what could boost his chances to overtake Stewart. The 24-year-old was an elite defender at second base and in the 100th percentile in outs above average and Statcast’s fielding run value. Wetherholt also had a 4.5 WAR, as calculated by Baseball Reference, compared to Stewart's 1.8.
Benge, 23, also has an edge on Stewart with 4.3 WAR after his first season with the Mets. Over 156 games, mostly as their right fielder, he batted .282 with a .776 OPS, 20 homers and 65 RBIs.
All three players are deserving of recognition after strong seasons. But only one will be called the 2026 NL Rookie of the Year.