Reds’ Sal Stewart makes Cincinnati history by passing Joey Votto on the rookie home run list

Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart continued his stellar season on Thursday, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run and scoring another run in a 6-5 win over the Athletics.

Stewart’s fourth-inning blast came against Mason Barnett and traveled 416 feet to left-center field. It was his 25th homer of the season, breaking his tie with legend Joey Votto, who hit 24 homers as a rookie in 2008. Stewart reached the mark in just 114 games and 432 at-bats, while Votto needed 151 games and 526 at-bats to record his 24 rookie home runs.

Only Frank Robinson has hit more home runs as a Cincinnati rookie, belting 38 in 1956 en route to National League Rookie of the Year honors.

Stewart has been one of the Reds most productive hitters. He is tied for 12th in Major League Baseball in home runs and ranks second in the league with 87 RBI. Among qualified National League rookies, he leads in both home runs and RBI while ranking among the top five in OPS.

The 22-year-old infielder has produced six home runs and 22 RBI across 19 games since the All-Star break. Over his last 15 games, he is batting .302 with a .371 on-base percentage and a .585 slugging percentage, along with five homers and one stolen base.

His production has extended beyond the home run chase. Stewart is on pace for 123 RBI, which would surpass Jim Greengrass’ Reds rookie record of 100 set in 1953 and become Cincinnati’s highest RBI total since Dave Parker recorded 125 in 1985.

Stewart has also provided defensive versatility, playing first base, third base and second base for the Reds this season. He has become the organization’s only first baseman on the major league roster and has handled third base while Ke’Bryan Hayes was on the injured list.

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