Every award race is fun... until it isn't.

At some point, one candidate separates himself enough that the debate becomes less about who deserves to win and more about whether we're ignoring what's happening right in front of us.

I think we've reached that point in the National League Rookie of the Year race.

Before I go any further, let me make one thing perfectly clear.  This is not an anti-JJ Wetherholt column.

Quite the opposite.

Wetherholt has been outstanding. He's one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball, not just among rookies. He plays the game the right way, runs the bases well, makes the routine plays look effortless and the difficult ones look routine. If I were starting a franchise today, I'd gladly take him as my second baseman for the next decade.

The difference is that Stewart isn't simply putting together a very good rookie season.  He's putting together one that history says should already have this race wrapped up.

As September began, Stewart led all of Major League Baseball with 105 RBIs while also becoming the first Reds rookie ever to record at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in a season. He's also one of only 14 rookies in Major League history to reach those milestones.

Think about that for a moment.  Not one of the best Reds rookies.  Not one of the best National League rookies.  One of only 14 rookies in the history of the sport.

History becomes even more convincing when you look at the players who came before him:

Mark McGwire.

Albert Pujols.

Aaron Judge.

Pete Alonso.

Every rookie since the Rookie of the Year Award was established in 1947 to hit at least 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs has gone on to win the award. Stewart has already joined that club.

That's why I struggle to understand why this is still being framed as a neck-and-neck race.  Yes, Wetherholt's defense is exceptional.  Defense matters.  It absolutely should matter.

But if elite defense alone determined these awards, Ke'Bryan Hayes would be collecting hardware every season.  But, he's not.  Nor should he until he starts hitting.

Awards like Rookie of the Year have almost always rewarded complete seasons, and offense has historically carried significant weight. Stewart isn't merely leading National League rookies offensively—he's leading the entire sport in one of baseball's most important run-producing categories.

Could Wetherholt still win?  Of course.  He's an outstanding player who deserves to finish near the top of the ballot.  But there comes a point when respecting another player's tremendous season and acknowledging someone else's historic season are two different things.

I believe we've reached that point.

JJ Wetherholt has made this a conversation.  But, Sal Stewart ended it awhile ago.