McGonigle and Stewart win Rookie of the Year with contrasting strengths
McGonigle’s discipline and on-base value led to the AL award; Stewart paired 32 homers and 112 RBI with a full 162-game season to win in the NL.
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Baseball · MLB · First baseman
Sal Stewart
2026 Season performance
He played all 162 games in 2026, hitting .263/.330/.457 with 32 home runs, 112 RBI and 15 steals. Power combined with availability gives his NL Rookie of the Year season its weight. Adding more on-base value while preserving that power would make his offensive contribution more complete.
Updated 2026-11-10Career background
Stewart was born in Miami and attended Westminster Christian School. Cincinnati selected him 32nd overall with a first-round compensation pick in 2022. The right-handed-hitting infielder advanced through the minors, earning Florida State League postseason All-Star recognition in 2023 and Southern League MVP in 2025.
He reached the majors in September 2025 and hit five home runs in eighteen games, establishing a platform for his first full season. Drafted as a third baseman, he later took on major-league work at first base. His defensive role changed while his right-handed offense carried from high-school selection through minor-league honors into his first major-league plate appearances.
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