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The Cincinnati Reds have become a fascinating team to watch, boasting standout talents like Sal Stewart, Elly De La Cruz, and Chase Burns. However, the shortcomings of the rest of the roster prevented the club from reaching the postseason this year.
Stewart, who enjoyed a breakout rookie season, has established himself as one of the premier power hitters in the game. Yet, some in the media remain skeptical of his overall value.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter recently placed Stewart at No. 6 in his rookie rankings, a position that appears surprisingly low given Stewart's dominance for much of the season. Reuter pointed to Stewart's below-average defense and limited baserunning as factors that dragged down his WAR, despite his impressive power numbers.
In Reuter's words: "Limited value with his glove and on the bases capped Stewart's WAR total, but there is simply no ignoring a 32-homer, 111-RBI campaign. He was the only rookie to play in all 162 games, and that grind eventually took a toll as he hit .247/.287/.280 with one home run in September."
Stewart's defensive evaluation suffers partly because he plays first base, a position that WAR metrics undervalue. While he is not a liability at first, the positional adjustment reduces his overall worth. Had he played third base at the same defensive level, his WAR would likely be higher.
At the plate, Stewart is a force to be reckoned with, capable of going deep against any pitcher. His 32 home runs in his first full MLB season are a testament to his elite power, a trait few rookies possess. Additionally, he excelled with runners in scoring position, which explains his lofty RBI total.
Stewart appears to be the frontrunner for the National League Rookie of the Year award, though a few other NL rookies are in contention. Regardless, Stewart's case is the strongest.
If Stewart can sustain this level of production, the Reds may have a superstar on their hands for years to come.
Key Analysis
Stewart's ranking at No. 6 seems to undervalue his offensive contributions. While defensive metrics and baserunning are important, his power and run production are game-changing. The Reds' future looks bright with Stewart anchoring their lineup.