Full Breakdown
NL Rookie Race Heats Up as Cardinals’ Wetherholt and Reds’ Stewart Vie for Top Honor
8/19/2026, 8:16:33 PM
The Contenders: Wetherholt vs. Stewart
At Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park, Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt and Reds first baseman Sal Stewart have emerged as the leading candidates for the National League Rookie of the Year. Both managers—Cardinals’ Oli Marmol and Reds’ Terry Francona—have publicly backed their players, framing the competition as a showcase of contrasting skill sets.
Performance Metrics
Wetherholt posts a 4.5 bWAR and 4.3 fWAR, bolstered by elite defense (Fielding Run Value 21, second among position players). His on-base percentage exceeds Stewart’s, and he adds a stolen base to his line. Stewart leads the league in wRC+ (114 vs. Wetherholt’s 107) and entered the game tied for second in MLB with 91 RBIs, while also delivering a .258/.333/.473 slash line overall. In high-leverage situations, Stewart hits .315/.374/.621, and his production with runners in scoring position climbs to .500/.414/.800 in 29 plate appearances with a runner on third and fewer than two outs.
Managers’ Perspectives
Francona acknowledges his bias but highlights Stewart’s RBI totals, noting that “wRC+” is a metric he and bench coach Freddie Benavides monitor closely. He also points out Stewart’s versatility, having started at first, third and second base, though his defensive value remains modest (Fielding Run Value 1). Both managers stress that rookie status does not limit their players’ roles in the lineup.
On-Field Impact
The rivalry influences in-game decisions. In a doubleheader’s 10th inning, Marmol chose to pitch to Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz rather than Stewart, explaining that “once you put Stewart on first, you have a chance at getting out of that inning.” The move backfired when De La Cruz’s grounder produced the winning run. Beyond individual accolades, the depth of the rookie class—featuring players like Mets outfielder Carson Benge, Marlins catcher Joe Mack and Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield—suggests a broader infusion of young talent into the NL.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Obviously I am going to be very biased, as I should be,” — Terry Francona, cincinnati reds manager
- “He’s the best second baseman in the league,” — Oli Marmol, louis cardinals manager
- “He’s come into the big leagues with that, as secure as anybody I’ve seen,” — Oli Marmol, louis cardinals manager
- “Once you put Stewart on first, you have a chance at getting out of that inning,” — Oli Marmol, louis cardinals manager
