Reds’ Sal Stewart Wins NL Rookie of Year

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart won the National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award after a standout first full major league season, beating finalists JJ Wetherholt of the Cardinals and Carson Benge of the Mets. The 22-year-old played all 162 games, hitting .263 with 32 home runs, 112 RBIs and 15 stolen bases; his RBI total set a Reds rookie record. He also made his first All-Star team and earned recognition from players and The Sporting News. Stewart is the ninth Reds player to win the award, joining past recipients including Johnny Bench, Frank Robinson and Jonathan India. While his power and run production drove his case, one analysis argued that defensive and baserunning shortcomings reduced his overall value compared with the other finalists.