GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Sal Stewart spent the offseason kicking himself over that error.
It came during Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series vs. the Dodgers while Stewart played first base for the Reds. After fielding a one-out grounder in the sixth inning, he made a bad throw to pitcher Nick Martinez covering first base for an error that put runners on the corners. It led to a four-run rally in an 8-4 loss to Los Angeles as Cincinnati was eliminated in a two-game sweep.
"It haunted me the whole offseason," Stewart said. "I’m excited to get back out there and prove I can be that defender. Everyone always has this notion that I don’t defend. And you look at all my Minor League stats and they say otherwise. The numbers speak for themselves sometimes. Everyone knows what I can do defensively. I’m excited to show that out there.”
Just before being promoted to the big leagues on Sept. 1, Stewart had logged two games at first base in Triple-A. It forced him to learn on the job.
“When you think back on it, that was so unfair to him. And we knew it, so did he," manager Terry Francona said on Wednesday. "That’s a big ask. He handled himself fine. He’ll be OK.”
Added general manager Brad Meador: “We’ve tried to avoid that, and that’s why we’ve played guys in multiple positions in the Minor Leagues. [Stewart] shot through the system so fast that we weren’t able to get him first base reps like we probably should have.”
Still classified as a rookie for 2026, Stewart enters the season ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Reds' top prospect and No. 22 overall. The 22-year-old will be trying to build on his September call-up, when he slashed .255/.293/.545 with five home runs, eight RBIs and 11 runs scored.
For Stewart to do that, he will likely have to win the job at first base, with last year's primary first baseman -- Spencer Steer -- slated to be in left field while also moving around the infield.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity," Stewart said. "That’s Tito’s job to decide where he wants to put me. Obviously, he’s a Hall of Fame manager for a reason. I trust his plan. My job is to go out and give it my best effort.”
Stewart won the "best shape of his life" contest for the club in December. Before Christmas Day, he had already dropped 26 pounds from his listed 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame.
Putting on his home white Reds uniform for the annual scoreboard video shoot, Stewart's uniform looked baggy.
“That was the number I was shooting for. I’ve kind of hovered around there. Now it’s about maintaining it," Stewart said.
Stewart initially was concerned that less weight could hamper his ability to drive the ball, but he has since allayed those worries.
"I’m really confident that losing this weight won’t change anything. As long as my swing stays compact and tight, the power won’t go anywhere," he said. "There’s obviously room to improve throughout the season. I could always add or subtract.”
Francona has already gotten reports -- including from assistant bench coach Mike Napoli, who works with the first basemen -- that Stewart's slimmer look has improved his athleticism.
"Listening to the coaches talk, he was moving really good. That’s what we care about," Francona said. "When you see him, you could see he put the work in, but when you watch him move, that’s what our goal was.”
Cincinnati's signing of Eugenio Suárez means that he will get time at designated hitter, first base and third base -- which happens to be Stewart's positions as well. If Suárez is the DH and Steer is in left field, first base is wide open for him to claim.
The Suárez addition should take some of the pressure off Stewart to be the Reds' middle-of-the-order power threat.
“It could be the other way around, too. What does Sal do for Suárez?" Francona noted. "Sal’s a pretty good hitter. Sal’s young. He’s still trying to work his way, especially defensively. Where does he fit? How does he help you win?
“He’s an advanced hitter for a young kid. He’s not just going to get singles. He’s going to do some damage.”
Stewart feels confident his offseason work would equate to a successful first full Major League season.
“I know what I bring to the table is up to par at the big league level," Stewart said. "I know what I can do. Now it’s going out there and trusting it. ... As long as I maintain the thought process that I belong here, then I’m super excited for the season.”