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Cincinnati Reds Sal Stewart has been a Pleasant Surprise
Sal Stewart has been a pleasant surprise, his early breakout performance leading the Reds to a quick start.
Cincinnati Reds Sal Stewart has been a pleasant surprise during the first few weeks of the 2026 season. Through Sunday’s game, he is hitting .309. In over 16 games, he has four home runs, 10 RBIs, and four doubles.
Reds Top Prospect
Stewart is the Reds’ top prospect according to MLB.com. Last season, between Double and Triple A for the Reds minor leagues, he hit 20 home runs with 80 RBIs in 118 games. Called up on September 1 when rosters were expanded for the final month of the season.
Good Numbers
Upon arriving, he immediately added a spark to the lineup. He ended up hitting .255 with five home runs and eight RBIs over 18 regular-season games. He was a key contributor to the Reds’ playoff run, even picking up two hits in their two Wild Card games.
Spring Training Standout
Stewart came to camp 25 pounds lighter to improve his mobility. Showing his defensive versatility, he saw time at first, second, and third bases over 20 games. He was a standout in Spring Training and secured a spot on the Big League roster.
Early Season Success
Cincinnati Reds Sal Stewart has been a pleasant surprise, his early breakout performance leading the Reds to a quick start. That quick start is something they were looking to do this season. His early power has helped the team reach 15 home runs to date. On Friday, he even hit a 409-foot home run. Moreover, he has shown the confidence and poise a power hitter needs at the plate. His outstanding performance earned him NL Player of the Week honors for the opening week of the season.
https://www.mlb.com/video/sal-stewart-on-being-named-nl-player-of-the-week
Rookie of the Year voters on Notice
Stewart has already been named to the MLB Network’s early All-Rookie Team list. You could also say he has put the Rookie of the Year voters on notice. Yes, early favorites include Konnor Griffin and JJ Wetherholt, who get a lot of attention. If, however, Stewart keeps batting well and showing that defensive versatility—putting up numbers both offensively and defensively—and helping the Reds win, he can’t be overlooked when it comes time to vote.
Notorious Slump
Still only 22, the right-handed hitter has played in just 35 MLB games. While playing well now, Stewart will most likely suffer the notorious slump that seems to hit rookies. Those slumps can have a devastating impact on a rookie, causing a drop-off in both defense and offense. While not all rookies experience a slump, the team must be ready if it happens to Stewart.
Having a veteran like third baseman Eugenio Suárez should help. Suárez gives Stewart someone to hash things out with, someone to ease the mental worries a slump can cause. On top of fellow players, the rookie also has one of the best managers in the game, Terry Francona. Francona’s experience as a player, coach, and manager who has worked with young rookies can only be beneficial to Stewart should he find himself crashing.
Confidence in Him
Stewart looks like the real deal, and the team has confidence in him. They already made a move to show how much they believe in him when Christian Encarnacion-Strand was designated for assignment. While Stewart possesses the defensive versatility to play second or third base, that move means he will now see a lot more action at first base.
Playoff Push
The Reds want to be a factor in the NL Central. They feel they can win the division and host some playoff games at home. They are going to need plenty of offense to make that happen. Last season, they were in the bottom 10 in hitters striking out, batting average, and home runs. If they want to make the playoffs, they will need to improve in those areas. So far, Stewart has been a bright spot.
Outlook
Stewart can definitely help this team. If he continues to put up positive offensive numbers and can avoid a prolonged slump—should he crash at some point—he will be an asset heading into the postseason. Considered a smart hitter, look for him to hit 25–30 home runs. If he can provide that power while being consistent on offense and playing solid defense, the Reds will see themselves in a playoff race for sure.
Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall has been writing about sports for over 10 years. He started his sports career in radio, co-hosting and producing several sports-talk radio programs in Phoenix. He has covered local, college, and national sports, but specializes in MLB. His articles have appeared in several sports-reporting sites, including our own Legends On Deck. Jim is also a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA).
