Sal Stewart's Peers Crowned Him the NL's Top Rookie. The Writers Should Follow.

Reds fans, this is the one that should mean the most to Sal Stewart. The guys who had to pitch to him all summer just voted him the best rookie in the National League.

Our Take: Peers don't hand out votes for hype. Stewart earned this one, and the Reds should be building the 2027 lineup around him.

According to Red Reporter, the MLB Players Association announced its Players Choice Awards on Wednesday morning and named Sal Stewart the National League's Outstanding Rookie, an award voted on by players across every clubhouse. WKRC Local 12 reports the 22-year-old hit 32 home runs, drove in 111 runs and scored 87 times while playing all 162 games for Cincinnati, and earned his first All-Star selection. He also moved around the infield, playing three infield positions plus designated hitter in his first full big-league season.

It's not his first trophy of the week, either. Both outlets note Stewart was named The Sporting News National League Rookie of the Year last week.

What to watch: the BBWAA Rookie of the Year, the writers' award, is announced on November 9, per Red Reporter. That's the one with real stakes for the club, since Red Reporter notes a Stewart win would bring the Reds an extra draft pick at the end of the first round next summer, plus a bump to the draft bonus pool. A rookie who plays every single game and drives in 111 is exactly what that award was built for. Peers have spoken. Now it's the writers' turn.

Sources: Red Reporter, WKRC Local 12