Sal Stewart Winning Rookie of the Year Would Have Major Implications for Reds

Reds rookie infielder Sal Stewart has emerged as one of the top candidates for National League Rookie of the Year, and there is more at stake for the organization than simply seeing one of their young stars take home some hardware.

If Stewart wins Rookie of the Year, the Reds would be awarded an additional draft pick through Major League Baseball’s Prospect Promotion Incentive program.

The PPI was introduced as part of the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement in an effort to encourage teams to promote their best prospects earlier rather than keeping them in the minor leagues to manipulate service time.

Before the rule was implemented, teams had an incentive to leave top prospects in the minors for the first few weeks of a season, potentially gaining an additional year of club control in the process. The PPI gives teams another reason to put their best young players on the Opening Day roster by rewarding them with an additional draft pick if an eligible player goes on to win certain major awards.

According to MLB.com, the incentive was specifically designed to tie individual accomplishments from top prospects to additional draft compensation for their teams.

That makes Stewart's Rookie of the Year race much more significant for Cincinnati. A win would not only put an exclamation point on an impressive rookie season, but it would also give the Reds another valuable draft pick and an opportunity to add another talented player to the organization.

For a franchise that has to rely heavily on drafting and developing its own talent, that extra selection could carry plenty of value.

Stewart is slashing .263/.336/.472 with 51 extra-base hits, including 27 home runs and 98 RBIs.

Stewart Wants to Win the Award

Aug 22, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart (27) looks to throw the ball to the crowd against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Before the season, Stewart spoke about wanting to win the award.

"Obviously, winning the Rookie of the Year has been a dream of mine ever since I was 11," Stewart told Bat Boys Baseball. "I've written my goals on my door every single day and that's been up there. I wanted to make it at 21, and I did that, and now I want to win Rookie of the Year."

The 22-year-old leads Major League Baseball in RBIs and is just three home runs away from reaching 30. If Stewart finishes his rookie season with 30-plus home runs and more than 100 RBIs, it would be hard to imagine him not taking home the hardware.

His biggest competition is JJ Wetherholt, who hasn’t matched Stewart’s offensive production but has made up for it with his glove. Wetherholt has arguably been one of the best defenders in baseball this season, recording 22 Outs Above Average.

It makes for an interesting Rookie of the Year race, but if Stewart reaches those offensive milestones, it’s going to be hard to make a case against him.

Add us as a preferred source on Google