Reds slugger Sal Stewart can’t stop strengthening Rookie of the Year case

The Cincinnati Reds watched rookie slugger Sal Stewart strengthen his National League Rookie of the Year case Saturday with his 30th home run of the season.

His two-run homer against Chicago Cubs starter Kevin Gausman raised his RBI total to 104. Elly De La Cruz scored on the third-inning drive, cutting Chicago’s lead to 6-4. The Cubs currently lead 7-5 in the bottom of the fifth at Wrigley Field.

Stewart entered Saturday as baseball’s RBI leader. The homer also extended the franchise rookie RBI record he established during Friday’s series opener at Wrigley Field.

Barstool Baseball took to its official X account, formerly Twitter, and posted the clip of Stewart’s latest blast.

“Sal Stewart is coming for that Rookie of the Year”

Sal Stewart is coming for that Rookie of the Year pic.twitter.com/gy81IxvROb

— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) August 29, 2026

MLB.com’s Sarah Langs followed up minutes later on the platform with a post providing historical context behind the rookie slugger’s latest milestone.

“Sal Stewart is the 14th rookie in MLB history with 30+ homers and 100+ RBI in a season

the 9 previous players to do it since the rookie of the year award began (1947) all won it”

Stewart became the 14th rookie in MLB history to produce 30 homers and 100 RBIs in one season. He is the first Reds rookie to reach both marks.

The 22-year-old turned on an 84.2 mph splitter from Gausman. The drive traveled a projected 431 feet to left-center field with a 105.9 mph exit velocity and 28-degree launch angle.

Stewart hit his 29th homer Friday before adding an RBI single that moved him past Jim Greengrass for Cincinnati’s modern rookie RBI record. The Reds won the series opener 10-8.

Frank Robinson, who hit 38 homers in 1956, remains the only Cincinnati rookie with more home runs in one season. Stewart has already surpassed Joey Votto’s 24-homer rookie total.

The historical pattern does not determine the award. However, Stewart’s power, major league-leading run production, and growing collection of franchise records continue strengthening his Rookie of the Year candidacy.

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