What happened: Sporting News selected Sal Stewart as its 2026 National League Rookie of the Year on Thursday. The honor arrives during the MLB postseason as the first major national award decision of the autumn cycle.

Why it matters: Stewart built his candidacy over the summer after leading first-year National League players in four major offensive categories in July. The selection caps a late-season surge that drew multiple national endorsements across late August and early September.

What to watch: Additional league-wide postseason award results will follow as the October schedule concludes.