Despite a promising debut in 2025, the Reds’ top prospect appears to be flying under the radar as baseball minds look ahead to the next generation of stars.
- MLB executives predict a tight race for AL Rookie of the Year between Kevin McGonigle and Trey Yesavage.
- The NL race is seen as more open, with JJ Wetherholt, Nolan McLean, and Konnor Griffin leading the pack.
- Sal Stewart received only 4.7% of the vote, tied with Justin Crawford, despite a strong finish to the 2025 season.
- Stewart’s impressive minor league stats and late-season performance suggest he’s poised for a breakout year in 2026.
The MLB offseason is moving at a deliberate pace, slowed by the holidays and the negotiating tactics of Scott Boras, but that hasn’t stopped baseball insiders from offering their predictions for the future. A recent poll of executives across Major League Baseball asked a simple question: Who will win the AL and NL Rookie of the Year Awards in 2026?
AL Race Shaping Up as Two-Horse Contest
In the American League, the consensus seems to be building around two players: Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage. The National League picture, however, is far more muddled. St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt leads the way with 30.2% of the vote, followed by New York Mets starter Nolan McLean and Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin, both of whom received at least 16%.
Reds’ Stewart Overlooked in Early Predictions
But apparently, some MLB executives may have forgotten what they saw from Cincinnati Reds slugger Sal Stewart during his brief but impactful debut in 2025. Stewart received a mere 4.7% of the vote, tying him with Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect Justin Crawford and trailing even Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler, who garnered 7%.
Stewart finally earned a call-up to the big-league roster in September 2025, after relentless requests from the Reds fanbase. He had already dominated both Double-A and Triple-A, leaving little left to prove in the minors. Cincinnati’s decision-makers ultimately yielded to the pressure, promoting Stewart for the final month of the season.
And he didn’t disappoint. Stewart shined in his debut, playing in 18 games and recording 14 base hits – six for extra bases – while hitting .255/.293/.545 with a 121 OPS+ and a 124 wRC+. These aren’t insignificant numbers, and while slightly lower than his minor league production, they suggest the power surge fans witnessed in 2025 was legitimate.
In 2024, Stewart appeared in 80 games for High-A Dayton, posting a .454 slugging percentage and a 143 wRC+. He continued to impress in 118 minor league games last season, slugging a combined .524 with a 152 wRC+.
Most experts anticipate Stewart will make the Reds’ opening day roster this spring. While his exact position remains undefined, manager Terry Francona will undoubtedly find a way to get his young slugger into the lineup regularly.
Reds fans remember what they saw last season, and based on his dedication this offseason, Stewart is determined to make a significant impact in 2026. Perhaps this perceived slight will serve as extra motivation when the season begins.
