Cincinnati Reds rookie sensation Sal Stewart is making serious noise in Major League Baseball-but he wants everyone to know who deserves the glory. After blasting a pivotal home run during Cincinnati's 7-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night, the 22-year-old looked directly into the national television camera and boldly declared, "Jesus is King!"
The striking moment came after Stewart launched his 31st home run of the season in the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. As he approached home plate, the rising star pointed toward heaven before delivering his unmistakable profession of faith. It was not a carefully prepared interview or a polished publicity campaign: Stewart used one of the biggest moments of the nationally televised game to proclaim the name of Jesus.
Stewart's extraordinary rookie season has made his witness even harder to ignore. He has already reached 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, joining Hall of Famer Frank Robinson in an elite corner of Reds rookie history. His performance has also placed him firmly in the National League Rookie of the Year conversation, with the young infielder leading all MLB players with 105 RBIs as of September 2.
Yet Stewart appears determined not to let baseball become his identity. During the All-Star festivities in July, he said he places his identity in Jesus because a baseball career can disappear "in a heartbeat," whereas Christ is everlasting. "When my identity is in Christ, I always know who I am," he explained.
His Sunday-night declaration was no isolated outburst. After delivering six RBIs against the New York Yankees in June, Stewart was asked how grateful he felt. His response immediately turned the attention away from his statistics: "Jesus blessed me. I'm 22 playing at Yankee Stadium. My family is in the stands. I mean, Jesus is the greatest."
Stewart was equally outspoken after a multi-home-run game in April, identifying Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Although reaching the major leagues had been his childhood ambition, he said his dream had changed. His real goal was now to glorify Christ, because without him, Stewart insisted, he could accomplish nothing.
Selected by Cincinnati in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Stewart made his major-league debut in September 2025 but retained his rookie eligibility for 2026. He has since transformed from the clubhouse newcomer into one of baseball's most exciting young sluggers-and potentially Cincinnati's first Rookie of the Year winner since Jonathan India in 2021.
Baseball fans may be debating Stewart's home-run totals, historic RBI production and awards prospects, but the rookie himself is refusing to be crowned. Every time the spotlight swings in his direction, he points higher. For Stewart, the season's real headline is not that a new baseball king may be emerging in Cincinnati-it is that "Jesus is King."
