Why Reds' Sal Stewart Deserved A Higher Spot In Latest MLB Rookie Rankings

The Cincinnati Reds didn't have the results they wanted this year after failing to reach the postseason and finishing fifth overall in the NL Central. 

However, Cincinnati has an All-Star in the making going into next season and that is Sal Stewart who was on a tear during his rookie season. The 22-year-old first baseman wrapped up 2026 with a .263 hitting average and .787 OPS that has put him in conversations for earning the Rookie of the Year award.

Besides the team, Stewart's early dominance at the plate earned the recognition of Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report who ranked him sixth overall for the site's MLB rookie rankings. While Stewart certainly has the markings of a top 10 player written all over him, I think sixth place is an understatement to just how confident Stewart has been in the batter's box.

Even though it could be argued that Stewart's defense could use improvement and that his production slowed down last month near the end of the season, he drove in 112 runs this year, making history as only the third rookie after legend Ted Williams and José Canseco to be the league's first player to reach 100 RBI during a season.

The Reds avoided a sweep by the NL powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 16 thanks to Stewart's 3-for-4 night at the plate in which he knocked in a run while scoring one himself in the sixth inning.

He also had one of his best performances yet against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 20, going 4-for-5 at the dish and launching a two-run homer in the ninth that sealed the game 9-4 in Cincinnati's favor.

While Stewart cooling down at the end shouldn't be ignored, perhaps placing him fourth or even third overall instead of sixth would do him more justice given his youth and the current trajectory he is on right now.

Still, Stewart's September slump could be attributed to a struggling Cincinnati team asking him to do too much during a year where it was evident that they weren't going anywhere. Before the grind caught up, he'd clearly shown that he's got what it takes to succeed in the major leagues long-term.

As Stewart continues to keep his bat sharp this offseason, Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall will have his work cut out for him as he tries to retain notable free agents like catcher Tyler Stephenson.