MLB Players Name Reds Sal Stewart NL Rookie
Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart secures top rookie honors in the annual Players Choice Awards voting.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Baseball
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Major League Baseball players have officially voted Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds as the National League Outstanding Rookie. The 22-year-old infielder earned the recognition following a standout 2026 campaign.
Why it matters
The Players Choice Awards provide an opportunity for professional baseball players to honor their peers for outstanding performances throughout the season. This recognition marks a significant milestone for Stewart, who was originally selected in the 2021 MLB draft.
Stewart hit 32 home runs and drove in 111 runs over his 162 games played during the 2026 season. The young infielder also scored 87 times and secured an All-Star selection earlier in the year.
The players
Sal Stewart
He is a 22-year-old infielder for the Cincinnati Reds who was originally drafted in 2021.
Cincinnati Reds
This is a professional Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati that competes in the National League Central division.
The details
Voting for the Players Choice Awards is conducted across all Major League Baseball clubhouses to determine the league's top rookie. Stewart joins a select group of honorees recognized by the Players Choice Awards, which began tracking top performances in 1992.
Timeline
Sal Stewart was selected in the MLB draft in 2021.
The Players Choice Awards began honoring performances in 1992.
Sal Stewart was named Sporting News Rookie of the Year in October 2026.
The Players Choice Awards were announced on October 28, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This award highlights a breakout season for Stewart that positions him as a cornerstone player for the Reds' future roster construction. His performance mirrors the impact of previous top rookie selections who quickly became catalysts for their respective franchise turnarounds.
Stewart completed his 2026 season having played in every single one of his team's 162 games. This high availability and production capacity makes him a primary focus for fantasy baseball roster planning and future salary arbitration projections.
The takeaway
Players Choice awards are particularly significant as they represent the collective recognition of a player's peers. Readers looking to follow the sport should note how peer-voted accolades often diverge from or predict the final outcome of writer-based awards.
What happens next
The Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce the official Rookie of the Year award following the conclusion of the World Series.
Further reading
For more on the latest team developments and league honors, visit the Cincinnati Baseball section.
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