Reds' Sal Stewart is a favorite to win a major award in MLB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Next to shortstop Elly De La Cruz, infielder Sal Stewart has been one of the Cincinnati Reds best hitters. Through 41 games, the 22-year-old is hitting .245 with a .812 OPS and has hit 10 home runs.
Despite doing well overall, Stewart is riding a bit of a cold streak, as he's hitting .214 with a .624 OPS in his last seven game. Even though Stewart has been cold at the plate, he still is one of the favorites to finish high or even win the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
Cincinnati Reds Sal Stewart finishes second in poll to win National League Rookie of the Year Award
According to a poll done by MLB experts, Stewart finished second (six first-place votes) to New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean (23 first-place votes), who was the overwhelming favorite.
"Stewart is another rookie who had an impressive debut in 2025 (five homers in 18 games) and is living up to those first impressions in 2026," wrote MLB.com's Jason Foster. "He led all NL rookies outright in homers (10) and RBIs (30) entering play Monday, and was tied for the rookie lead in doubles (seven), while his .812 OPS ranked second. Stewart has been a major reason why the Reds are helping make the NL Central the best division in baseball this season."
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To overtake McLean, Stewart will need to put together a hot streak for most of, if not, the rest of the season. Through his first eight starts of this season, McLean is 1-2 with a 2.78 ERA and has struck out 57.
The last Reds player to win the Rookie of the Year Award was infielder Jonathan India in 2021. India hit .269 with a .835 OPS and hit 21 home runs in 150 games for the Reds in 2021.
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