Why Reds Fans Should Be All-In on Sal Stewart in 2026
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - If you’re a Reds fan looking for a reason to get excited about 2026, look no further than Sal Stewart. The 22-year-old slugger is turning heads across the league - and not just because of his top-tier prospect ranking.
Coming into the season as MLB’s No. 22 overall prospect, Stewart is poised to make a serious push for National League Rookie of the Year honors. And if you ask Reds manager Terry Francona, the hype is more than justified.
“He uses the whole field. He knows how to hit.
He's a good hitter,” Francona said - and that’s not just manager-speak. This is a guy who’s been around the game for decades, first as a player in the ‘80s, then as a manager in both the minors and majors since the late ‘90s.
When someone with Francona’s résumé calls a young hitter “one of the most advanced” he’s ever seen, it’s time to pay attention.
Stewart got his first taste of the big leagues last season, and while it was a small sample - just 18 games - he made every plate appearance count. He launched five home runs and posted an .839 OPS, flashing the kind of power and plate discipline that’s rare for a rookie, let alone one with fewer than 20 games under his belt. That kind of early impact has the Reds seriously considering him for their 2026 Opening Day roster - and it’s hard to argue against it.
But Stewart didn’t spend the offseason resting on potential. He dropped 26 pounds during the winter, a move the Reds believe will boost his athleticism and help him become a more complete player. For a guy who already brings a polished bat to the table, that added mobility could be the difference-maker - not just for his own development, but for an offense that could use a jolt.
The Reds’ strength remains their starting pitching, and that’s not changing anytime soon. But in a division where runs can be hard to come by, a bat like Stewart’s could be the X-factor. If he continues to hit like he did in his brief debut - and if the improved athleticism translates to better defense and baserunning - Cincinnati might just have a future star on its hands.
SAL IS FIRED UP 🔥
— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2025
Sal Stewart cracks his first Major League home run 412 feet! pic.twitter.com/tHCDFfTmpH
Bottom line: Stewart isn’t just a name on a prospect list. He’s a player with real tools, real production, and now, a real shot to make a major impact in 2026. Keep an eye on him - the Reds certainly are.