The Cincinnati Reds finally brought up top prospect Sal Stewart on Monday, adding him to the roster ahead of their series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Alongside Stewart, the club also recalled pitcher Yosver Zulueta. Fans have been eager to see Stewart in the majors, and with September roster expansion, they finally get their wish.
Still, questions remain: Why did the Reds wait until now? Where will Stewart play? Will he slot into the everyday lineup, and if so, at whose expense? Those answers will unfold soon enough, but for now, the key is that Stewart is officially a major leaguer and could prove crucial in the Reds’ playoff push. Cincinnati entered Monday four games behind the Mets in the NL Wild Card race.
A first-round pick, Stewart has emerged as one of the most productive hitters in the minors this season. He spent much of the year in Double-A Chattanooga, slashing .306/.377/.473 with a 146 wRC+, before earning a promotion to Triple-A Louisville, where he was even better. In 38 games with the Bats, the 21-year-old posted a .315/.394/.629 line with strong plate discipline and a 163 wRC+.
While not expected to single-handedly save the Reds, Stewart’s bat provides a needed boost. His defensive role remains to be determined—he has experience at first, second, and third base, and could also slot in as DH if Miguel Andújar’s quad issue lingers.
It took longer than many hoped, but Stewart is finally in Cincinnati red. Now the question is whether he can rise to the occasion. With the Reds’ offense sputtering, his arrival could be the spark that helps end their postseason drought dating back to 2013 (excluding the shortened 2020 season).
