Reds’ Elly De La Cruz Named Silver Slugger Finalist for Historic Honor

The Cincinnati Reds have two players named as finalists for the 2026 Silver Slugger Awards.

Elly De La Cruz is a finalist for National League shortstop.

Sal Stewart is a finalist in the utility-player category.

The awards are determined by a vote of league managers and coaches.

Louisville Slugger announced the finalists this week.

De La Cruz posted a .283/.365/.515 slash line in 143 games.

He hit 30 home runs and drove in 79 runs.

He also became the fourth 30-30 player in Reds history.

His competition at shortstop includes CJ Abrams and Otto Lopez.

Abrams hit 33 home runs and drove in 106 runs.

Abrams holds an edge in power production.

De La Cruz would be the first Reds shortstop to win the award since Felipe Lopez in 2005.

Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin won the Silver Slugger nine times for Cincinnati.

The last Red to win any Silver Slugger was outfielder Nick Castellanos in 2021.

Stewart is a rookie who played first base, second base and third base this season.

He is also a finalist for National League Rookie of the Year.

Stewart accumulated 700 plate appearances in 2026.

He hit 32 home runs and drove in 111 runs.

His competition in the utility category includes Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Bauers.

Bauers led the group with a 140 OPS+ in 578 plate appearances.

Tatis topped Stewart in rate statistics.

Stewart’s advantages were playing time, home runs and RBIs.

If Stewart wins, he would be the first Reds rookie to earn a Silver Slugger.

The utility award may come down to whether voters favor rate production or volume.

The winners will be announced on November 17.

The Reds have not had a Silver Slugger winner since 2021.

Cincinnati’s offense ranked among the weakest in baseball this season.

Despite that, De La Cruz and Stewart delivered standout individual seasons.

The Reds have a shot at earning their first Silver Slugger in five years.

De La Cruz is in a two-player contest with Abrams for the shortstop award.

The utility race is less clear among Stewart, Bauers and Tatis.

Stewart’s 111 RBIs lead the utility finalists.

Bauers’ 140 OPS+ leads the utility finalists.

Tatis’ rate stats top Stewart’s in several categories.

The voting process considers the full body of work at each position.

Managers and coaches vote for players in their own league.

They cannot vote for players on their own team.

The Silver Slugger has been awarded since 1980.

It honors the best offensive player at each position in each league.

A separate award is given for designated hitters.

Utility players are those who qualify at multiple positions.

Stewart qualified by playing first base, second base and third base.

De La Cruz played shortstop exclusively this season.

He also stole 30 bases to go with his 30 home runs.

That made him the fourth 30-30 player in Reds history.

The previous Reds 30-30 players include Eric Davis, Barry Larkin and Adam Dunn.

De La Cruz is 24 years old and under team control through 2029.

Stewart is 22 years old and made his MLB debut in 2026.

The Reds selected Stewart in the first round of the 2023 draft.

He quickly rose through the minor leagues.

His 32 home runs led all NL rookies.

His 111 RBIs also led all NL rookies.

The Silver Slugger winners will be announced during a ceremony on MLB Network.

The ceremony is scheduled for November 17 at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Each winner receives a Silver Slugger trophy.

The trophy is a full-size bat made of silver.

Louisville Slugger has sponsored the award since its inception.

The award is separate from the Gold Glove, which honors defense.

Some players have won both awards in the same season.

De La Cruz was also a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop.

Stewart was not a Gold Glove finalist.

The Reds finished the 2026 season with a record of 76-86.

That placed them fourth in the National League Central.

The Reds have not made the playoffs since 2020.

Despite the team’s struggles, De La Cruz and Stewart provided bright spots.

De La Cruz led the team in home runs, stolen bases and slugging percentage.

Stewart led the team in RBIs and on-base percentage.