The Cincinnati Reds are on a mad chase for a Wild Card spot, currently just 1.5 games behind the sputtering New York Mets. They have not played their best baseball as of late, struggling heavily on offense, and have not been able to capitalize on the current collapse in Queens.
Reds Top Prospect Sal Stewart Due For a Call-Up
They are dealing with the vaunted Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend and dropped an absolute heartbreaker Friday night. The offense woke up, going ahead 8-1 and knocking around youngsters Jacob Miserowski and DL Hall. The pitching staff, however, blew the lead immediately, and the offense struggled to create anything, eventually dropping the game 10-8.
With a lineup full of holes to fill, their best option is their top prospect, Sal Stewart, who has been tearing it up ever since getting the call to Triple-A Louisville.
Stewart’s Triple-A Explosion
While Stewart is just 21 years old, he is an absolute unit, standing at six feet one, 224 pounds. In 25 games at the Triple-A level, Stewart has been unbelievable.
107 PA
6 home runs
20 RBI
12 doubles
3 stolen bases
.326/.393/.642
1.035 OPS
Stewart has been slugging the ball all over the field, as well as over the fence. The Reds weakness this year have been their offense, more specifically power production.
His numbers are eye-popping for sure, but the under-the-hood stats are perhaps even more impressive.
Stewart’s Metrics in Triple-A
Plate discipline and contact are strengths in Stewart’s game, despite his prodigious power abilities. In Triple-A, he is sporting a 10.3 K% and a 14.0 BB%.
He has a blistering high 34.6 LD% (line drive percentage), combined with a 33.3 GB% and a 32.1 FB%. His approach is also rare for a power hitter, as, rather than the traditional pull-happy approach, he sprays the ball all over the field.
32.1 Pull%
30.9 Center%
37.0 Oppo%
Stunningly, he hits the ball to the opposite field more than he does on the pull side, which makes his power production even more impressive.
As far as his bat-to-ball skills, the numbers continue to be impressive, beyond just the strikeout and walk rates.
He has an in-zone swinging percentage of 66.8% and an in-zone contact percentage of 83.2%. When Stewart decides to swing at a pitch in the zone, he is almost guaranteed to make hard contact.
Stewart’s Role on the Reds in 2025
At the latest, Stewart will likely be called up in September. However, the Reds should consider bringing him up as soon as possible to address any early struggles in August, allowing him to contribute to a postseason push in September.
As far as the position he will play, it may not be his natural position at third base. The newly acquired Ke’Bryan Hayes is manning third base and doing it exceptionally well. Offensively, it is another story as Hayes is one of the worst hitters in the league. Given that he is a fresh face the organization traded for and is under contract for another four years, $30 million, it is highly unlikely the Reds will move him off third base.
This leaves first base for Stewart to fill in, which works perfectly fine. The Reds are currently playing Spencer Steer at first base. Despite his clutch production as of late, there is no denying that the Reds would rather see what Stewart can produce offensively rather than Steer’s sub-700 OPS.
Cincinnati should give Stewart the call, as every game down the stretch of this season matters if they want to make a serious push for their first postseason appearance since 2020.
Main Photo Credits: Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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