The Cincinnati Reds finally pulled the trigger on Monday, promoting top prospect Sal Stewart to the big leagues.
Stewart was one of two players added ahead of the series against the Toronto Blue Jays, joining pitcher Yosver Zulueta on the expanded roster.
Reds fans have been eagerly awaiting Stewart’s debut, and with September call-ups underway, their wish has come true.
His arrival, however, raises some big questions: Why the delay? Where will he play? Will he be in the everyday lineup, and if so, which players lose at-bats? Those answers will unfold soon enough, but the key takeaway is simple — Stewart is now a Red and could be a crucial bat down the stretch.
Entering Monday, Cincinnati sat four games behind the Mets in the NL Wild Card chase.
A former first-round pick, Stewart has been one of the top hitters in all of Minor League Baseball this season.
After tearing up Double-A Chattanooga with a .306/.377/.473 slash line and a 146 wRC+, he was promoted to Triple-A Louisville, where he was even better.
In 38 games with the Bats, the 21-year-old slashed .315/.394/.629 with a strong walk rate, low strikeout rate, and a stellar 163 wRC+.
Though not expected to single-handedly carry the Reds, Stewart’s bat should give the offense a boost.
Sal Stewart
His defensive role remains uncertain — he’s played first, second, and third base — but with Miguel Andujar nursing a quad injury, the DH spot could be a natural fit.
It may have taken longer than fans hoped, but Stewart is finally in a Reds uniform.
Whether he’s the missing piece that pushes Cincinnati back into the postseason for the first time since 2013 remains to be seen — but Reds fans believe he can rise to the moment.
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