Slugging Reds first baseman Sal Stewart takes NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year

Courtesy Cincinnati Reds/Katherine Woolson

November 9, 2026

Cincinnati Reds’ first baseman Sal Stewart, who hit 32 homers and drove in 112 runs, was named National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year.

Stewart’s victory marks the ninth time that a Reds player has been honored. The others were Jonathan India (2021), Scott Williamson (1999), Chris Sabo (1988), Pat Zachry (1976), Johnny Bench (1968), Tommy Helms (1966), Pete Rose (1963) and Frank Robinson (1956).

Stewart is also the ninth first baseman honored in National League voting, along with Pete Alonso (2019), Cody Bellinger (2017), Ryan Howard (2005), Eric Karros (1992), Jeff Bagwell (1991), Willie McCovey (1959), Orlando Cepeda (1958) and the very first winner, Jackie Robinson (1947).

There have been eight winners at first base in the American League: Nick Kurtz (2025), Jose Abreu (2014), Mark McGwire (1987), Alvin Davis (1984), Eddie Murray (1977), Mike Hargrove (1974), Chris Chambliss (1971) and Walt Dropo (1950).

Stewart was the only player listed on every ballot. Fourth-place finisher Nolan McLean was on 29.

Ballots were cast prior to postseason play. They are tabulated on a system that rewards seven points for first place, four points for second place, three points for third place, two points for fourth and one point for fifth place.

2026 NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year

1st2nd3rd4th5thPoints
Sal Stewart, Reds205131170
Carson Benge, Mets731242107
JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals31265299
Nolan McLean, Mets679770
TJ Rumfield, Rockies3391049
Logan Henderson, Brewers11310
Bryce Eldridge, Giants 22
Didier Fuentes, Braves22
A.J. Ewing, Mets11

Below is a breakdown of the 30 individual ballots, submitted by two writers representing each city in the National League. For more information on the voting, see our Voting FAQ.

NameAffiliationChapter1st2nd3rd4th5th
Kiley McDanielESPNATLBengeWetherholtMcLeanStewartHenderson
Jesús CanoThe AthleticATLStewartWetherholtMcLeanBengeFuentes
Meg RowleyFanGraphsAZBengeWetherholtMcLeanStewartHenderson
David VennMLB.comAZStewartMcLeanBengeRumfieldEldridge
Andy MartínezAt LargeCHIWetherholtStewartBengeMcLeanRumfield
Eugene McIntoshThe Bigs MediaCHIStewartMcLeanWetherholtBengeRumfield
Pat BrennanCincinnati EnquirerCINStewartWetherholtBengeRumfieldMcLean
Charlie GoldsmithBBWAACINStewartMcLeanWetherholtRumfieldBenge
Kyle NewmanThe Denver PostCOLStewartRumfieldBengeWetherholtMcLean
Patrick LyonsJust BaseballCOLStewartMcLeanRumfieldBengeWetherholt
Katie WooThe AthleticLAStewartWetherholtBengeMcLeanRumfield
Bill PlunkettSouthern California News GroupLAStewartHendersonRumfieldMcLeanBenge
Alfredo AlvarezCon Las Bases LlenasMIAStewartMcLeanHendersonRumfieldWetherholt
Kevin BarralPelota Cubana USAMIAStewartWetherholtBengeRumfieldMcLean
Steve MegargeeAssociated PressMILStewartWetherholtBengeRumfieldMcLean
Drew OlsoniHeart Media MilwaukeeMILStewartWetherholtBengeMcLeanRumfield
Andrew TredinnickBergen RecordNYBengeStewartWetherholtMcLeanRumfield
Will SammonThe AthleticNYBengeStewartMcLeanWetherholtRumfield
Charlotte VarnesThe AthleticPHIBengeStewartWetherholtMcLeanEldridge
Keith LawThe AthleticPHIWetherholtBengeMcLeanStewartHenderson
John PerrottoFanSidedPITStewartWetherholtBengeMcLeanRumfield
Jonathan MayoMLB.comPITStewartWetherholtMcLeanBengeRumfield
Bernie WilsonHonorary memberSDStewartBengeRumfieldWetherholtMcLean
Ryan FinleyThe San Diego Union-TribuneSDStewartBengeWetherholtRumfieldMcLean
Jaeho KimMK SportsSFStewartMcLeanWetherholtRumfieldFuentes
Shayna RubinSan Francisco ChronicleSFStewartWetherholtBengeMcLeanRumfield
Lynn WorthySt. Louis Post-DispatchSTLStewartWetherholtBengeRumfieldEwing, A
Brenden SchaefferMLB.comSTLWetherholtRumfieldBengeMcLeanStewart
Steve GardnerUSA TODAYWASBengeRumfieldStewartWetherholtMcLean
Spencer NusbaumThe AthleticWASBengeStewartMcLeanWetherholtRumfield

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