Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and infielder Sal Stewart are finalists for 2026 Silver Slugger Awards, despite Cincinnati’s offense ranking among baseball’s weakest. De La Cruz is up for the National League shortstop award; Stewart is listed in the utility-player category.

By the Numbers
  • De La Cruz: .283/.365/.515, 30 home runs and 79 RBIs in 143 games.
  • National League shortstop finalists: De La Cruz, CJ Abrams and Otto Lopez.
  • Utility finalists: Stewart, Jake Bauers and Fernando Tatis Jr.
  • Stewart: 32 home runs and 111 RBIs in 700 plate appearances; Bauers: a group-best 140 OPS+ in 578 plate appearances.
  • Winners will be announced Nov. 17.
Yes, But

De La Cruz appears to be in a two-player contest with Abrams, whose 33 home runs and 106 RBIs give him an edge in power production. The utility race is less clear: Bauers led the group in OPS+, while Tatis topped Stewart in rate stats; Stewart’s advantages were playing time, home runs and RBIs.

Bottom Line

The finalists reflect standout individual seasons in a struggling Reds lineup. The utility award may come down to whether voters favor rate production or the greater volume and counting stats Stewart delivered.