This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart is a leading contender for the National League Rookie of the Year award following an exceptional 2026 campaign. The 22-year-old played all 162 games, batting .263 with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs to become the only rookie in franchise history to achieve a 30-homer, 100-RBI season. Stewart has already secured top NL rookie honors from the Sporting News and the MLB Players Association.
Beyond Stewart's Rookie of the Year pursuit, several other Reds players are in contention for postseason hardware. Stewart, shortstop Elly De La Cruz, and starting pitcher Chase Burns are nominees for the 2026 All-MLB Team. De La Cruz delivered a 30-homer, 30-steal season, while Burns posted a 15-3 record with a 2.86 ERA, potentially earning down-ballot votes for major BBWAA awards.
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