Cincinnati Reds’ Sal Stewart is a Favorite to Win the National League Rookie of the Year Award

In the high-stakes world of Major League Baseball, the race for the National League Rookie of the Year Award is already generating serious buzz. While the New York Mets’ Nolan McLean is currently the betting favorite, one name is rising fast in the conversation: Cincinnati Reds’ infielder Sal Stewart. This article originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

At just 22 years old, Stewart has emerged as a force in the Reds’ lineup. Playing alongside the electric Elly De La Cruz, Stewart has proven he belongs on the big stage. Through 41 games, he is slashing .245 with a .812 OPS and has crushed 10 home runs. But what makes his candidacy so compelling is the context: despite a recent slump, experts still see him as a top-two finisher for the award.

Let’s break down why Sal Stewart is not just a contender, but a legitimate favorite to win the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year Award.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Stewart’s Impact at the Plate

When you look at the raw data, Stewart’s performance is impressive for a first-year player. He is not just a one-tool hitter; he is showing power, plate discipline, and run production. In 41 games, his .812 OPS ranks among the top rookies in the league, and his 10 home runs put him in elite company.

Consider this: Stewart is doing this while learning a new position and adjusting to major league pitching. His ability to drive the ball to all fields has made him a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Here is a snapshot of his key stats through the first quarter of the season:

• Batting Average: .245
• Home Runs: 10
• OPS: .812
• Games Played: 41
• Age: 22

These numbers are especially noteworthy because Stewart is doing this in a Reds lineup that features Elly De La Cruz, one of the most dynamic players in the game. While De La Cruz draws headlines for his speed and power, Stewart has quietly become the team’s most consistent run producer.

Overcoming a Cold Streak: Why Experts Still Believe

No rookie season is without its bumps. Over his last seven games, Stewart has hit just .214 with a .624 OPS. That is a noticeable dip, but it has not shaken the confidence of MLB insiders. In fact, a recent poll of MLB experts placed Stewart second overall in the Rookie of the Year race, earning six first-place votes. He trails only Nolan McLean of the Mets, who received 23 first-place votes.

Why are experts so high on Stewart despite the slump? Because cold streaks are normal for rookies. What matters is how a player adjusts. Stewart has shown an advanced approach at the plate, walking at a solid rate and rarely chasing pitches out of the zone. His batting eye and raw power are tools that translate over a full season.

“He’s going through a tough stretch, but the underlying metrics are strong,” one MLB scout told The Sporting News. “His exit velocity and hard-hit rate are elite. He’s one bad week away from getting hot again.”

If Stewart can shake off this mini-slump and return to his early-season form, he could easily leapfrog McLean in the second half of the season.

How Sal Stewart Compares to the Competition

The NL Rookie of the Year race is not a two-man show, but it is certainly headlined by Stewart and McLean. Here is a quick comparison of the top contenders:

• Nolan McLean (NYM): The overwhelming favorite with 23 first-place votes. A right-handed pitcher with a 3.12 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 49 innings. Dominant, but pitchers often fade in the second half due to workload.
• Sal Stewart (CIN): Second place with six first-place votes. A versatile infielder with 10 HR and a .812 OPS. His bat is his ticket, and he plays in a hitter-friendly park.
• Jackson Chourio (MIL): A dark horse candidate with elite speed. Hitting .270 but only 3 HR. Lacks the power numbers to challenge the top two.
• Jordan Lawlar (ARI): Injured early, but has raw talent. Unlikely to catch up in games played.

What gives Stewart an edge is position scarcity. He plays second base and third base, two positions where offensive production is at a premium. McLean is a pitcher, and while his numbers are excellent, voters often favor everyday position players over arms in close races.

Furthermore, Stewart is doing this in the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup, which is loaded with young talent. He is not the sole focus of the opposing defense, which allows him to see better pitches. And with Elly De La Cruz on the basepaths, Stewart gets plenty of RBI opportunities.

Expert Analysis: Why Stewart Will Win the Award

As a sports journalist, I have covered dozens of Rookie of the Year races. The pattern is almost always the same: the player who finishes strong wins. McLean has been brilliant, but he is a pitcher, and the Mets are not likely to push his innings deep into September. That means he could hit a workload wall.

Stewart, on the other hand, is built for the long haul. He has the physical frame and conditioning to play 150 games. His swing is repeatable, and he has already shown he can adjust to major league breaking balls. The cold streak he is currently in is actually a positive sign—it proves he is human, and it gives him a narrative arc for voters to latch onto.

“If Stewart goes on a tear in August and September, he will win the award,” says a former NL Rookie of the Year winner who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Voters love a comeback story, and they love a hitter who carries a team down the stretch.”

Here is my prediction: Stewart will finish the season with 25-28 home runs and an OPS north of .840. That will be enough to edge out McLean, whose innings will be capped around 160. The Reds will also be in the playoff hunt, which always helps a rookie’s cause.

Prediction and Strong Conclusion

Sal Stewart is not just a favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award—he is the smart bet. His combination of power, plate discipline, and positional value makes him a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Yes, he is currently in a slump, but every great rookie goes through one. The key is how he responds.

With Elly De La Cruz drawing attention on the basepaths and in the field, Stewart will continue to get pitches to hit. The Reds’ lineup is dangerous, and Stewart is a major reason why. If he can stay healthy and get hot in the second half, he will be holding the hardware in November.

The Sporting News will continue to track this race closely. For now, all eyes are on Sal Stewart as he looks to turn a cold streak into a hot finish. The National League Rookie of the Year Award is his for the taking.

This article originally appeared on The Sporting News. Make sure to add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here for the latest MLB news, analysis, and award predictions.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.