Sal Stewart Named Players Choice Finalist for NL Outstanding Rookie

Reds fans, in a season that didn't go our way, Sal Stewart keeps giving us something to celebrate.

Our Take: When the guys you play against vote you into the final three, that says more than any stat line. Stewart is the cornerstone of whatever comes next in Cincinnati.

The MLB Players Association named Stewart one of three finalists for National League Outstanding Rookie in the 2026 Players Choice Awards, according to WKRC Local 12. He's up against St. Louis' JJ Wetherholt and Colorado's TJ Rumfield, and the award is decided by a vote of fellow major leaguers.

The numbers back it up. Stewart played all 162 games and finished with a .263 average, 32 homers, 15 stolen bases and a rookie franchise-record 112 RBI, which ranked second in the National League, per Local 12. He's only the fifth rookie age 22 or younger in MLB history to top 30 homers and 100 RBI. He was also an NL All-Star, made the MLB All-Rookie Team and was the only rookie nominated for the NL Hank Aaron Award. Yahoo Sports notes his 32 homers led the team and that the MLBPA announced the finalists on X.

What to watch: Players Choice winners are scheduled to be announced the week of Oct. 26. After that, the big one is the official NL Rookie of the Year race.

Sources: WKRC Local 12, Yahoo Sports