Sal Stewart prospect report (Reds)

A 6-foot-1, 215-pound infielder, Stewart was drafted 32nd overall (Round 1C) by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2022 MLB Draft out of high school. In his third year as a pro, the 21-year-old spent the 2024 season with High-A Dayton in the Midwest League, playing 80 games before a wrist injury in mid-July ended his season. He slashed .279/.391/.454 with eight home runs, 32 extra-base hits, and 10 stolen bases, showcasing an advanced approach at the plate with a 15% walk rate and 17% strikeout rate. A right-handed hitter, Stewart’s ultimate value lies in his bat. He demonstrates a slight pull bias but effectively uses the opposite field and features gap-to-gap power with the potential to develop into plus power as he matures and generates more loft. While his strong, stout frame gives him offensive upside, Stewart is a below-average athlete with limited range and arm strength. While he split his time between the keystone and the hot corner last season, his defensive shortcomings make him a liability at both positions, though he could profile as a serviceable first baseman long-term. Stewart’s ability to hit for average and power, paired with his advanced plate discipline, should keep him in the lineup. If his power continues to develop, he projects as a bat-first corner infielder capable of producing runs from the middle of a lineup.