The Vegas odds are out, and your Cincinnati Reds 1B/2B/3B/DH Sal Stewart is right up top the list of candidates to win the prestigious award, coming in at second best odds to win it. Sal Stewart made his MLB debut in September of the 2025 season and was credited with 2 of the only runs the Reds scored in the postseason.
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Sal Stewart 2nd Overall Odds
Sal is currently listed as the second best option to win NL Rookie Of The Year over at Covers, which compiles a list of the odds from Vegas. You can currently get Sal at +500 odds, which in my opinion is pretty good. If he’s healthy, his bat will play everyday. The only other player in front of sal is Nolan McLean who had a very nice 2025 but in my opinion will have a regressing year in ’26.
Current odds, in order:
- Nolan McLean +300
- Sal Stewart +500
- Moises Ballesteros +700
- JJ Wetherholt +700
- Bubba Chandler +700
- Jonah Tong +1300
- Bryce Eldridge +1300
- Owen Caissie +1500
I think out of this list, Sal Stewart, Bubba Chandler and Owen Caissie have the best chances to win the award. I really think Owen Caissie will be turned loose in 2026 after the Cubs watch Justin Tucker walk to free agency. One of those 3 will take it home.
Sal’s 2025 Was Incredible
I’m a bit surprised to not see Sal favored a bit more to win this darn thing. Sure, he is the second highest odds, but I think he should be favored to win the whole thing. And if he does, the Reds profit tremendously from it. Not only would that mean they were likely super competitive, but it also means they get an additional first round pick per the new CBA.
| Level | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | OBP | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Leagues | 437 | 78 | 135 | 20 | 80 | 17 | .309 | .383 | .907 |
| Major Leagues | 55 | 11 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 0 | .255 | .293 | .839 (MLB.com) |
Sal Stewart’s 2026 Role
It’s unclear how Terry Francona and the Reds will use Sal in 2026, but one thing’s certain: they’ll make sure his bat is in the lineup. No one is more hungry to get back out there and do his thing like Stewart is. Just give the guy a follow on instagram and you’ll see.
