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Sal Stewart's remarkable rookie season with the Cincinnati Reds appears to be flying under the radar of major baseball outlets. Despite putting up numbers that rank among the best rookie campaigns in franchise history, the 2026 sensation has been consistently undervalued in recent rankings.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter recently placed Stewart as the No. 6 rookie in the league, citing a lack of an elite glove and limited baserunning value as reasons for the low placement. This comes on the heels of a similar slight from Bleacher Report earlier in the year. Such criticism seems to ignore Stewart's offensive prowess: he smashed over 30 home runs, drove in 112 runs, and excelled with runners in scoring position. The first baseman's defensive rating suffers due to positional value in WAR, but he is far from a liability at the position.
Baseball America's Questionable Ranking
Baseball America added to the perceived disrespect by listing Stewart at No. 20 in its Top 50 Graduated MLB Prospects in 2026. While players like Konnor Griffin, Kevin McGonigle, Payton Tolle, and JJ Wetherholt—all highly regarded talents—were ranked ahead of him, the placement of Bryce Eldridge, Travis Bazzana, Walbert Urena, and Joe Mack above Stewart raised eyebrows. Baseball America projected Stewart's upside as an All-Star first baseman, an honor he already achieved in 2026. If that is his ceiling, one must wonder what more the outlet expects from a player who has already performed at that level.
Stewart should be the frontrunner for the National League Rookie of the Year Award, yet the narrative around him continues to diminish his accomplishments. Meanwhile, another Reds rookie, Rhett Lowder, also appeared on Baseball America's list at No. 41. Lowder, who made his professional debut on August 30, 2024, missed the entire 2025 season due to right forearm and left oblique injuries. After pitching for Cincinnati in 2026, he has exhausted his rookie eligibility and will no longer be considered a prospect.
As Stewart continues to prove his doubters wrong, the debate over his true value will only intensify. For now, Reds fans can take solace in knowing that their young star has already etched his name among the franchise's greats.