The National League Rookie of the Year race, which felt like it was basically decided a few weeks ago, just got completely shaken up. The Cardinals activated second baseman JJ Wetherholt from the injured list this Wednesday, and with less than two weeks left in the 2026 regular season, we’ve got a real battle shaping up. Wetherholt had been out for more than two weeks with right wrist tendinitis, but he’s back, and now the award is a fascinating clash of old-school power numbers versus advanced metrics.
Sal Stewart’s Bat Has Been an Absolute Cannon
Before Wetherholt’s return, the Reds’ slugger Sal Stewart was the clear favorite, sitting at -2500 odds on DraftKings. His case is all about the bat: 31 home runs and 107 RBI. Think about that RBI number for a second, he’s only four off the MLB lead. Only two rookies ever, Ted Williams in 1939 and Walt Dropo in 1950, have actually led the majors in RBI. Stewart is already the 14th rookie in history to hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs. That’s insane, and honestly, a few decades ago, this would’ve locked up the award. But in today’s game, the numbers tell a more nuanced story. Stewart’s value is pretty much tied to that power, giving him a 2.2 WAR. He’s hitting .266/.335/.470 with a 122 OPS+, but his defensive value is negative, even with 15 stolen bases. Is pure power enough to seal it? The odds sure think so right now.
JJ Wetherholt’s WAR Stares Down Old-School Stats
Then you have JJ Wetherholt, who’s back in the mix with +3500 odds. He’s only played 130 games, hitting .242/.343/.370 with a 106 OPS+. He’s got 14 doubles, 17 homers, 48 RBI, 88 runs, and 14 stolen bases. Those numbers don’t jump off the page like Stewart’s, right? But here’s the kicker: Wetherholt leads all candidates with a whopping 4.7 WAR. That’s thanks to his on-base skills, his baserunning, and especially his absolutely excellent defense. Voters really pay attention to WAR these days, and Wetherholt’s case is a prime example. Can his all-around game and massive WAR overcome Stewart’s monster home run and RBI totals? That’s the real fight right now, a classic WAR versus traditional stats showdown. Nolan McLean, the Mets right-hander, is also in the running at +1200 odds with an 11-9 record, 3.24 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 184 strikeouts over 166 ⅔ innings, good for 2.6 WAR. He’s got two more starts, but it feels like he’s probably headed for second or third place.
With barely a week and a half left in the season, this race is going to be wild. Will the power numbers of Sal Stewart reign supreme, or will JJ Wetherholt’s elite defense and WAR leadership sway the voters? Every single game, every at-bat, and every defensive play from these guys is going to matter big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply