Sal Stewart's 32nd home run cements his NL ROY campaign

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sal Stewart's 32nd home run of the season cements his NL Rookie of the Year campaign

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Sep 17, 2026 6:22 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart crushed his 32nd home run and 109th RBI of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, helping to solidify his NL Rookie of the Year campaign.

His 109 RBI are also two shy of Alec Burleson's MLB-leading 111. While his 32nd home run was the first home run he's hit in September, Stewart has sustained a solid .319 batting average across his last 30 games.

Stewart also joined elite company when he reached the 100-RBI mark on Aug. 26, as Pete Alonso last accomplished the feat in 2019 with the New York Mets.

Stewart's 32 home runs also currently rank second for the most home runs by a Reds rookie in a season behind Frank Robinson, who hit 38 in 1956. He has also been the leading favorite for the award since late August, especially since JJ Wetherholt missed time with a wrist injury.

Sal Stewart goes the other way for his first home run in September!

His 109 RBI are 2 shy of the MLB lead pic.twitter.com/V1YgpzlAcp
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 17, 2026

Sal Stewart's elite production makes him the front-runner in the NL ROY race

While Wetherholt returned from the IL on Wednesday, the likelihood of him beating Stewart in the NL ROY race this late in the season is unlikely.

His productive offensive output in August had him hit eight home runs with a .304 batting average and a stellar .880 OPS.

Even with Wetherholt's 4.3 WAR, Stewart's elite power production at just 22 years old is helping to close the debate on the NL ROY race.

Sal Stewart is the 14th rookie in MLB history with 30+ homers and 100+ RBI in a season

the 9 previous players to do it since the rookie of the year award began (1947) all won it https://t.co/NKAp8lq6q5
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 29, 2026

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.

More must-reads: