Reds' Sal Stewart Emerges as Top MLB Rookie

The 2022 first-round draft pick is off to a blistering start for Cincinnati.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:44pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a baseball player hitting a home run, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Reds' team colors.Rookie slugger Sal Stewart's explosive start has Reds fans dreaming of a bright future in Cincinnati.Today in Miami

Cincinnati Reds rookie first baseman Sal Stewart has quickly become one of the best hitters in baseball, posting a .366/.471/.683 slash line with 3 steals and more walks than strikeouts through the first 12 games of the season. Stewart, a 2022 first-round draft pick, has been ranked as the top rookie in the league by CBS Sports' Dayn Perry, who noted his advanced plate discipline and strong batted-ball data suggest he has 'legit All-Star potential'.

Why it matters

The Reds have struggled offensively as a team so far this season, making Stewart's breakout performance all the more impressive. As a top prospect, Stewart's early success has energized the Reds' fanbase and raised expectations for the team's future, with the organization now likely to prioritize signing the young star to a long-term contract extension.

The details

Through 12 games, Stewart leads all MLB qualifiers with a 1.154 OPS, ranking third overall. He's shown an advanced approach at the plate, walking more times than he's struck out. Stewart debuted for the Reds late last season, hitting 5 home runs in 18 games, and has picked up where he left off with his hot start in 2026.

  • Stewart made his MLB debut for the Reds in 2025.
  • The 2026 MLB season is currently underway.

The players

Sal Stewart

A 23-year-old rookie first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2022. He's off to a blistering start in 2026, establishing himself as one of the best young hitters in baseball.

Eugenio Suárez

A veteran slugger who the Reds added to their lineup in the offseason, though the team's offense has struggled overall so far this year.

Elly De La Cruz

A highly touted Reds prospect who has also shown promise early this season, though not yet at the same level as Sal Stewart.

Dayn Perry

A writer for CBS Sports who recently ranked Sal Stewart as the top rookie in MLB through the first few weeks of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Prior to his big-league debut in 2025, Stewart, a 2022 first-rounder, had a slash line of .289/.390/.466 with almost as many walks as strikeouts. So he could always hit. Speaking of hitting, Stewart has done a lot of that so far in 2026. He's got a triple slash of .366/.471/.683 with three thefts, more walks than strikeouts, and 28 total bases in 12 games. His OPS ranks third among all MLB qualifiers right now.”

— Dayn Perry, CBS Sports Writer

“Stewart's done nothing but hit as a pro, and during his brief cuppa in Cincy last season, he tallied five homers in 18 games. This season, his plate discipline and very strong batted-ball data suggest he's ready to continue producing at a high level. No, not this high a level, but Stewart has legit All-Star potential as a batsman.”

— Dayn Perry, CBS Sports Writer

What’s next

The Reds are likely to prioritize signing Sal Stewart to a long-term contract extension in the coming months to lock up their young star for the foreseeable future.

The takeaway

Sal Stewart's breakout start has energized the Reds' fanbase and raised expectations for the team's future, as the 23-year-old rookie has quickly emerged as one of the best young hitters in baseball with his advanced approach, plate discipline, and power potential.