Sal Stewart becomes first MLB rookie to hit this RBI mark

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart. Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Reds' Sal Stewart becomes first MLB rookie to hit this RBI mark

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jun 20, 2026 6:00 PM ET

Rookie Sal Stewart has continued to be red-hot for the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first MLB rookie to record 50 RBI this season. A huge accomplishment for the 22-year-old, who is among the favorites for the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

In the top of the third inning against the New York Yankees on Saturday, he hit his 15th double of the season to left field, providing the Reds with a 2-1 lead and his 50th RBI.

But Stewart had a busy day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and tying his season high with his second six-RBI game this season. His first six-RBI game came against the San Francisco Giants on April 15.

Stewart is the youngest NL player since Mel Ott to record multiple six-plus RBI games in a season at age 22 or younger. The Reds went on to beat the first-place AL East Yankees 10-2 to even up the series at a game apiece. The Reds also capitalized on the Yankees' struggling bullpen, scoring four runs in the top of the eighth inning.

Sal Stewart is the first rookie to 50 RBI

The next closest is Kazuma Okamoto with 42 pic.twitter.com/YsbuyRQNnJ
— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) June 20, 2026

Sal Stewart continues to shine for the Reds

On the season, Stewart holds a .252 batting average with 14 home runs, 11 stolen bases, and an .803 OPS. He is also boasting a 12.7% walk rate, a 15% barrel rate and an xSLG of .482.

Stewart has been a huge bright spot for the Reds considering they are in last place in the NL Central. As a rising star who has continued to hustle and illustrate how rookies have been dominating MLB this season, he represents an exciting future with the Reds.

Another one of Stewart's dominant performances came on June 16 against the New York Mets. The rookie went 2-for-3 with a walk, four RBI and a home run in a 5-3 victory for the Reds.

With Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami rehabbing a hamstring injury, this has given other rookies, including Stewart, a chance to climb the rookie ranks.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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