Reds' Sal Stewart proud of being available every game, winning NL Rookie of the Year

One thing can be said about Sal Stewart: He was a bad man in the batter's box in 2026.

In his first full season with the Cincinnati Reds, Stewart appeared in all 162 games and led the team in homers (32), RBIs (112) and hits (164). Those amounts of hits were the most by a Reds rookie in a single season since Pete Rose did the trick in 1963. 

Being a sensation earned Stewart the National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award on Monday night. He became the ninth player in Reds history to be honored. Before Monday, infielder Jonathan India was the last member of the organization to win the award in 2021.

Stewart received 20 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, while Mets right fielder Carson Benge finished second with seven first-place votes and 170 points. Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt finished third with 99 points.

Reds' Sal Stewart the most proud of this accomplishment

Of all the things he accomplished this past season, Stewart is proud that he answered the bell for every game. 

"People in my corner, they understand how difficult that is (to play in 162 games),” Stewart said in a conference call. "Being available for your teammates every single day, that something that kind goes unnoticed. I want my teammates to appreciate that and I want them to know that I’m always there for them. That’s the biggest accomplishment I’m most proud of." 

Stewart has always been a confident player. He had a feeling that ‘26 would be productive. Earlier in the season, he told The Athletic he would be disappointed if he wasn’t named top rookie.

“Sometimes, I’m confident in the work that I put in," he said on Monday. "Sometimes when I say those things it’s because I feel it and I mean it. I really don’t say things I don’t mean. I love to envision things for myself, family and life. It just comes out because I try to be as transparent as I can be. … 

"In this situation, I felt like I could go out there and I knew what I was capable of. I knew the hard work I put in during the offseason. My job was to go out there, stay healthy and be me.”

Don’t expect Stewart to rest on what he accomplished in ‘26. He will be working hard to be even better in 2027. One can bet that his confidence will be sky high when he arrives in camp. It helps that he has a mentor like Manny Machado helping him get to greater heights. Both players are from the Miami area.    

"The confidence that is instilled in me is not from a trophy or an accomplishment that I’ve done,” Stewart said. “It comes from the hard work that I put in during the offseason when no one is watching. The people that are around me are helping me get to where I need to be. That’s where the confidence comes from. ... When I play, that’s the fun part. I’ll just go out there and be who I am."  

Stewart plans to work hard on his defense this offseason. Besides playing first base in '26, Stewart saw action at third and second base. He was -3 in defensive runs saved this past season. Stewart said he is accustomed to playing one position. 

"This offseason, I’m getting with the team and understand where they have me at -- just go out there and putting work in that defensive position. Wherever it may be -- whether it’s first, third or second base -- I am looking forward to having those conversations with them."

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.