Sal Stewart Named NL Rookie Award Finalist

The Cincinnati Reds standout earned his nomination after a historic campaign of 32 home runs and 112 RBIs.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Baseball

Sal Stewart Named NL Rookie Award Finalist

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The Major League Baseball Players Association has named Sal Stewart a finalist for the National League Outstanding Rookie award. Stewart earned the honor following a 2026 season in which he set a rookie franchise record for RBIs.

Why it matters

The Players Choice Awards are determined by votes from major league players, marking them as a significant peer-recognized honor in the sport. Stewart is the fifth rookie aged 22 or younger to reach the 30-homer and 100-RBI benchmarks in a single season.

Stewart played in all 162 games of the 2026 season, finishing with a .263 batting average and 15 stolen bases. He is one of only three finalists for the National League Outstanding Rookie honor.

The players

Sal Stewart

He is a Cincinnati Reds infielder who set a rookie franchise record for RBIs during his first full season in 2026.

JJ Wetherholt

He is a professional baseball player and a fellow finalist for the National League Outstanding Rookie award.

TJ Rumfield

He is a professional baseball player and a fellow finalist for the National League Outstanding Rookie award.

Major League Baseball Players Association

This is the collective bargaining representative for all active major league baseball players.

The details

In addition to his rookie award nomination, Stewart was recognized as an NL All-Star, named to the MLB All-Rookie Team, and nominated for the NL Hank Aaron Award. He achieved his statistical production while playing every game of the 162-game season.

1992: The Players Choice Awards began recognizing player achievements.
2026: Sal Stewart played his first full season in the league.
Week of Oct. 26, 2026: The winners of the Players Choice Awards are scheduled to be announced.

Season Trajectory

Stewart's nomination highlights the high level of individual performance across the league during the 2026 season. His recognition reflects the growing trend of young players making immediate, high-impact contributions to their franchises.

Stewart's historic RBI total represents the most productive rookie season in the history of the Cincinnati Reds franchise. His 15 stolen bases and .263 average confirm his status as a key offensive contributor for fantasy rosters and lineup projections.

The takeaway

Stewart's performance demonstrates that young players can anchor a team's offensive output through consistency and durability. Readers should note that his record-breaking RBI count underscores the value of playing in all 162 games during a debut season.