CINCINNATI, OH – For the ninth time in team history, a Cincinnati Reds player is the National League rookie of the year. This one happens to have as much potential, if not more, than any who came before him.
Reds phenom Sal Stewart is the 2026 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year, as announced by Major League baseball on Monday evening. Stewart took home 20 of 30 first place votes, winning the award over Carson Benge of the New York Mets and JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Despite playing in 18 games in 2025, Stewart’s officially recognized rookie year of 2026 nearly practically made him a household name. As humble as they come, an energized Stewart could not stop smiling upon the official announcement, something which became his trademark over the course of the season.
“I told myself this award wouldn’t define me. I worked hard and I did what I could. I’m focused” said Stewart on MLB Network on Monday evening.
Stewart led all major league rookies in home runs, hits, runs, runs batted in, games, plate appearances and at bats, becoming the first Reds player to win the award since Jonathan India in 2021. He will look to expand on a tremendous rookie year in 2027, as he looks to lift the Reds back into a postseason spot.