Sal Stewart’s first full season in the majors turned into something far bigger than a promising rookie debut. On Wednesday, the Reds infielder was named a finalist for the National League’s Outstanding Rookie Award, putting him in line for one of the league’s top year-end honors after a historic 2026 campaign.
Stewart will be up against Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield and Cardinals second baseman JJ Weatherholt for the award.
A breakout like this wasn’t exactly the expectation when the season opened. Cincinnati knew Stewart could help the offense with power and on-base skills, but few could have forecast the kind of impact he delivered across the board. By the end of the year, he had become the Reds’ most productive hitter for most of the season and piled up a stat line that put him squarely among the league’s best first-year players.
He led the Reds in home runs, RBI, hits and games played. He also finished second on the team in doubles, slugging percentage and OPS, and ranked third in walks. On the rookie leaderboard, he stood out even more, finishing first among first-year players in home runs, total bases and RBIs while landing in the top 10 in doubles, walks and hits.
That production came with plenty of praise even before Opening Day. In Spring Training, first base coach Collin Cowgill pointed to Stewart’s strike-zone awareness and all-around hitting profile.
“He has such a refined approach,” first base coach Collin Cowgill told Charlie Goldsmith in Spring Training. “He knows the zone.
He can shorten up with two strikes. He has an incredible ability to hit (good) stuff.
Also, he has the approach. Not everyone can hit the way Sal hits, even the superstar youngsters.
His ability to control the zone makes him elite already.”
Stewart’s offseason work also played a big role in how the year unfolded. It was reported that he dropped more than 25 pounds, a move aimed at extending his career and helping him stay flexible defensively. Stewart said on the Reds Hot Stove that the decision came after a long conversation with Tito.
"I called Tito,"Stewart said on the Reds Hot Stove. "We had a super long talk together about what he expects out of me.
He expects a lot of good things out me... I had to look myself in the mirror and see where I could get better and I felt like losing some weight could not only help me, but allow me to go play first and even second.
I actually weighed in today, and I am down 26 pounds from when I left the offseason."
The only real question attached to Stewart has been his defense, though 2026 was also his first full season at any level playing first base.
His rise came during a frustrating year for Cincinnati as a team. The Reds won 75 games and missed the playoffs after reaching the postseason in 2025. Now the roster has several holes to fill heading into next season, with bullpen help, second base production, third base, starting pitching and bench depth all standing out as problem areas.
Cincinnati has already been tied to some notable free agents, including Jazz Chisholm and Alec Bohm. The Reds also need to sort out what comes next with Brady Singer, who is set to reach free agency and can receive a qualifying offer. That decision carries some weight, especially with Singer eligible for a deal that would pay him $23 million next season if the club goes that route.
The pitching staff needs major attention as well. Hunter Greene will miss all of next season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and the Reds were last in several pitching categories. The front office can’t simply bank on internal improvement and call it a plan.
Elsewhere on the roster, Ke'Bryan Hayes is owed $30 million over the next three seasons and has taken a major step back on both sides of the ball. Catcher is another clear issue. Tyler Stephenson is headed for free agency this offseason, which would leave Jose Trevino as the only catcher on the roster.
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