Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart is turning heads as he gears up for his rookie season. The buzz around him is palpable, and MLB Pipeline's experts-Sam Dykstra, Jonathan Mayo, and Jim Callis-are even predicting Stewart as a contender for the National League batting title in 2026. That's no small feat, considering the last Reds player to claim the title was Pete Rose back in 1973.
Stewart's potential to join the ranks of Reds legends like Rose, Cy Seymour, and Ernie Lombardi is intriguing. Since 2000, only Ichiro Suzuki has snagged a batting title as a rookie, hitting an impressive .350 in 2001. If Stewart can come close to those numbers, Reds manager Terry Francona might just have to break out some celebratory moves.
The hype isn't just smoke and mirrors. Stewart's performance in the minors and his offseason dedication have set the stage for a promising debut. He's shed over 20 pounds without losing any power, as evidenced by his .308/.400/.577 line in 10 Cactus League games, including two home runs.
Stewart's been a consistent hitter at every level. After a brief stint in the Arizona Complex League, he posted an .819 OPS at Low-A Daytona in 2023.
The following year, he improved to an .844 OPS at High-A Dayton. His 2025 season was a breakout, hitting .306/.377/.473 at Double-A Chattanooga before elevating to a .315/.394/.629 slash line at Triple-A Louisville.
Stewart made his MLB debut last September and quickly became a vital part of the Reds lineup, shining in the postseason.
He's set his sights on the NL Rookie of the Year award, and if he lives up to MLB Pipeline's projections, Stewart could be a strong contender for that honor as well. Keep an eye on this rising star-his journey is just beginning, and it promises to be an exciting one for Reds fans.