The Cincinnati Reds are shaking up their infield plans heading into the 2026 season, and rookie Sal Stewart is right at the center of it. After logging most of his minor league innings at third base, Stewart made 11 of his 18 Major League starts at first in his debut season. Now, the Reds are adding another position to his résumé: second base.
Manager Terry Francona and the coaching staff are giving Stewart an extended look at the keystone this spring. According to reports out of Reds camp, Stewart will primarily split his time between first and second base during spring training, with fewer reps at third.
That shift makes sense considering the team’s depth at the hot corner. Ke'Bryan Hayes, fresh off winning the NL Gold Glove, has third base locked down, and the addition of veteran Eugenio Suárez only strengthens that spot.
The move to second base for Stewart isn’t just about versatility - it’s also about insurance. Matt McLain, expected to open the season as the Reds’ starting second baseman, is coming off a rocky 2025 campaign.
After missing all of 2024 with a shoulder injury, McLain struggled at the plate last year, slashing .220/.300/.343 and sliding down to the bottom of the batting order. His defense remained solid, but the bat that once made him a Rookie of the Year candidate in 2023 didn’t show up.
That inconsistency has left the Reds needing a Plan B, and Stewart might be exactly that. He saw time at second in the minors last season, and Louisville Bats manager Pat Kelly reportedly told Francona that second base might actually be Stewart’s most natural fit.
That’s a significant endorsement, especially considering Stewart’s offseason transformation. He dropped a noticeable amount of weight, which should help with his agility and lateral quickness - two must-haves for anyone manning second base.
The Reds aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket, either. Spencer Steer is also getting more work at second this spring, adding to his already impressive defensive flexibility.
Between Stewart, Steer, and newly signed free agent Nathaniel Lowe, the Reds have multiple players capable of handling first base. At second, it’s shaping up to be a three-man rotation in camp: McLain, Stewart, and Steer.
Suárez and Hayes will handle third, while McLain and Elly De La Cruz are expected to share time at shortstop.
If everything clicks, the Reds’ ideal infield heading into Opening Day might feature Stewart at first, McLain holding down second, and Steer filling in wherever he’s needed. But if McLain’s offensive struggles continue into 2026, Francona has options - and Stewart is at the top of that list.
This spring isn’t just about reps; it’s about readiness. Stewart’s emergence gives the Reds flexibility and depth, two things every contending team needs. Whether he ends up at first, second, or somewhere else, Stewart’s development could be a key storyline for Cincinnati this season.