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Reds' Sal Stewart Named NL Player of the Week
Rookie first baseman impresses with power, contact, and plate discipline in season's opening series.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:20pm
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Rookie slugger Sal Stewart's electric start at the plate has the Reds' lineup firing on all cylinders.Today in PittsburghCincinnati Reds rookie first baseman Sal Stewart has been named the National League Player of the Week after an impressive start to the 2026 season. The 23-year-old Stewart, who made his MLB debut last September, showcased his well-rounded offensive skills by using the entire field, making consistent contact, and displaying strong strike zone judgment in the Reds' opening series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Why it matters
Stewart's early success validates the Reds' decision to slot him into the cleanup spot in the lineup, demonstrating their confidence in his ability to produce at the major league level. His performance also suggests the Reds have found a long-term solution at first base, a position that has been a weakness for the team in recent years.
The details
In the opening series, Stewart hit .375 with two home runs, five RBIs, and a 1.075 OPS. Reds manager Terry Francona praised Stewart's approach, noting his ability to use the whole field and hit with authority without striking out excessively. The Reds called up Stewart last September to get him MLB experience, and the young slugger has carried that momentum into the start of the 2026 season.
- Stewart made his MLB debut in September 2025.
- The 2026 season opened on March 26.
The players
Sal Stewart
A 23-year-old rookie first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds who was named the National League Player of the Week after the opening series of the 2026 season.
Terry Francona
The manager of the Cincinnati Reds, who expressed confidence in Stewart by slotting him into the cleanup spot in the lineup to start the season.
Chase DeLauter
A rookie for the Cleveland Guardians who was named the American League Player of the Week for the opening series.
What they’re saying
“He uses the whole field. A lot of times, you see guys come up and strike out a ton. He doesn't. He makes contact, but he hits the ball with authority.”
— Terry Francona, Manager, Cincinnati Reds
“It feels really good. It's something I thought about when I was 9 years old. It's a great award. That's in the past now. We're playing the Pirates. I want to go out there, play hard for my team and help the team win.”
— Sal Stewart
What’s next
The Reds will look for Stewart to continue his hot start as they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the team's home opener on April 1.
The takeaway
Sal Stewart's early-season performance has given the Reds reason to be optimistic about their long-term outlook at first base, as the young slugger has shown the ability to impact the game with his power, contact skills, and plate discipline.
