Cincinnati, OH —
It’s the kind of move that makes a fanbase hold its breath — and a clubhouse quietly believe. On a steamy July morning with playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Reds manager Terry Francona confirmed what insiders had been whispering for days:
Sal Stewart is headed to the Major Leagues.
For most of the baseball world, Stewart may still be just a name buried on prospect lists. But for those inside the Reds organization — especially Francona — he’s something else entirely: a hidden weapon. A bat built for pressure. A young man with ice in his veins and lightning in his swing.
Drafted 32nd overall in 2022 out of Westminster Christian School in Florida, Stewart passed on a scholarship to powerhouse Vanderbilt to sign with the Reds. Since then, he’s been on a mission.
Through over 1,200 minor league plate appearances, he’s slashed a steady .389 OBP, and this season alone has posted a .306/.377/.473 line in Double-A before earning a recent promotion to Triple-A Louisville.
Now, he’s coming to Cincinnati.
“I’ve seen a lot of young players over the years,” Francona told reporters. “But there’s something about Sal — the way he sees pitches, the way he handles failure, the way the ball jumps off his bat… you don’t teach that. You just recognize it. And I’ve seen it.”
The timing couldn’t be more critical. The Reds, despite sitting above .500, have struggled mightily at third base this season, ranking near the bottom of MLB in production. Their DH spot hasn’t offered much more stability. The need for a right-handed bat with real discipline and pop is glaring. Stewart checks every box — and then some.
Sources say Stewart will join the team ahead of their weekend series, and while his exact role is still unfolding, he’s expected to see time at both 3B and DH. His calm demeanor and pro-ready approach at the plate have convinced Reds brass that he can handle the jump — and maybe even spark a postseason surge.
What makes this moment more powerful is who’s pulling the strings. Francona — a manager known for maximizing young talent — isn’t gambling. He’s betting on what he believes is real.
“We’re not calling him up to sit around,” Francona added. “He’s here to help us win. Period.”
For Reds fans hungry for something more than promise… this might be the beginning of that something more. The playoffs aren’t guaranteed. Nothing in baseball is. But with Sal Stewart walking into the clubhouse, it finally feels like Cincinnati is ready to fight for it.
Because sometimes, the next chapter doesn’t start with fireworks — it starts when a quiet star steps out of the shadows… and swings.
