Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart was named the winner of the 2026 NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award in a televised broadcast on MLB Network Monday. The voting process was conducted before the end of the regular season by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The finalists — the top three vote recipients — were announced Monday.
Historic Milestone
Stewart was in the running for the award alongside New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge, St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt and Mets right-hander Nolan McLean. Stewart received 20 first place votes, five second place votes, one third place vote, three fourth place votes and one fifth place vote. He finished with 170 total points as he was the only player listed on every ballot. Benge finished in second place, receiving seven first place votes and 107 total points. Wetherholt came in third with three first place votes and 99 total points. McLean, however, did not receive a first place vote as he came in fourth place with 70 total points.
Sal Stewart receiving the NL Rookie of the Year marks the ninth time that a Reds player has received the honor and is the first time it has occurred in five years. The list of recipients includes Frank Robinson (1956), Pete Rose (1963), and Jonathan India (2021). Stewart is also the ninth first baseman to receive the award in National League voting. That list includes the first winner Jackie Robinson (1947), Ryan Howard (2005), Cody Bellinger (2017) and Pete Alonso (2019).
Speaking on MLB Network after receiving the award, Stewart said, “I told myself that this award wouldn’t define me because that’s how I was raised. I worked hard and I did what I could. I’m focused.”
Standout Season
Stewart made his major league debut in 2025, recording 14 hits, eight RBI and five home runs in 18 appearances with the Reds. He took it up a notch in 2026, registering 164 hits, 111 RBI and 32 home runs. His ranked third in RBI while he ended the season slashing .263/.330/.457 on a .787 OPS. His efforts helped him make his All-Star debut in the 2026 All-Star game.
In comparison to Sal Stewart, Benge totaled 168 hits, 65 RBI and 20 home runs with 22 stolen bases. Wetherholt, on the other hand, had 130 hits, 51 RBI and 15 home runs in 139 appearances. McLean, meanwhile, went 12–10 with 194 strikeouts and a 3.16 ERA in 31 appearances.
While speaking with MLB Network, Stewart added, “I’ve dreamed this, I know what I can do. My family always taught me go you strive for whatever you want. If you put your mind to something and you have a dream then go chase it and that’s what I did.”
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